Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Violetsfeathers]

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[AnneInTheBurbs]

Just wanted to share a cool broody story today. My broody Mama took her turkey poults out today in this bitter cold weather (around 32*). We had to leave at about 4, and wouldn't be home until after dark. I wanted to make sure the broody and her poults got inside for the night before I left. So I asked hubby to help me try to herd her back into the coop. She ended up running away and screaming which got the dog excited. The dog didn't try to hurt her or the poults, but got excited and started to run "with her". This of course scared Mama he more, and she ran screaming hysterically all the way across the yard. I tried to herd her again, but with no luck. I put the chicks in the coop and hoped she would follow them in.

I came back out five minutes later to check on her and the poults. She was in the coop with them as if nothing had happened. I then realized, she was being an excellent mother! She was trying to lure thre predator (my dog) away from her chicks. When the coast was clear,she ran right back to them. Smart cookie!

 

[Curnow]

Just wanted to share a cool broody story today. My broody Mama took her turkey poults out today in this bitter cold weather (around 32*). We had to leave at about 4, and wouldn't be home until after dark. I wanted to make sure the broody and her poults got inside for the night before I left. So I asked hubby to help me try to herd her back into the coop. She ended up running away and screaming which got the dog excited. The dog didn't try to hurt her or the poults, but got excited and started to run "with her". This of course scared Mama he more, and she ran screaming hysterically all the way across the yard. I tried to herd her again, but with no luck. I put the chicks in the coop and hoped she would follow them in.

I came back out five minutes later to check on her and the poults. She was in the coop with them as if nothing had happened. I then realized, she was being an excellent mother! She was trying to lure thre predator (my dog) away from her chicks. When the coast was clear,she ran right back to them. Smart cookie!

That's AWESOME! Gave me a big smile!

 

[Violetsfeathers]

Last night (they sleep by my bed) the chicks were peeping a little bit while I was trying to sleep (they're usually SUPER quiet) so I looked in their box and talked to them and Icewing came up to my face so I picked her up and held her in my hands for a while, then I put her back. Well, sometime in the middle of the night I moved and heard a chick peeping in bed and felt a warm little chick butt next to me and I was like "How did this chick get in bed with me?!". So then I put Icewing back in its box and went back to sleep.

In the morning I figured out that I was probably dreaming that I put her back the first time (I sometimes dream I'm shutting my alarm off but then it doesn't work because I'm dreaming and I realize I'm dreaming and wake up) and that the second time was for real.

So I slept with a chick! And I didn't squash it!

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

Last night (they sleep by my bed) the chicks were peeping a little bit while I was trying to sleep (they're usually SUPER quiet) so I looked in their box and talked to them and Icewing came up to my face so I picked her up and held her in my hands for a while, then I put her back. Well, sometime in the middle of the night I moved and heard a chick peeping in bed and felt a warm little chick butt next to me and I was like "How did this chick get in bed with me?!". So then I put Icewing back in its box and went back to sleep.

In the morning I figured out that I was probably dreaming that I put her back the first time (I sometimes dream I'm shutting my alarm off but then it doesn't work because I'm dreaming and I realize I'm dreaming and wake up) and that the second time was for real.

So I slept with a chick! And I didn't squash it!

That is soooo precious!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Tonight I candle my eggs under my broody!

 

[Cluck77]

Today was day 28, not pips yet, Mama got off the nest to stretch and eat, and there was no sign of hatching today. Maybe tomorrow?

Today marks 29 days for my broody hen. I'm relieved to see someone else taking a bit longer than the 21 days I had read abt earlier. Fingers crossed for chicks

soon!!!

 

[PD-Riverman]

Today marks 29 days for my broody hen. I'm relieved to see someone else taking a bit longer than the 21 days I had read abt earlier. Fingers crossed for chicks

soon!!!

Listen, if your broody is setting on chicken eggs---and all the eggs were put under her the same day-------you got problems. I have set over 150 broody hens in 3 years and ALL hens hatched the hatchable eggs by day 21. I do not remember any going into day 22. Have you candled the eggs----if they are chicken eggs---they have got to be getting pretty rotten.

Now if the eggs were added at different times---Who Knows?

 

[karenerwin]

Today marks 29 days for my broody hen. I'm relieved to see someone else taking a bit longer than the 21 days I had read abt earlier. Fingers crossed for chicks

soon!!!

I agree with PD-Riverman, at least as far as "you got problems". I have never had any chicks hatch that late! I have had a few hatch on day 22 or 23 especially if I've had some low temperature days. You definitely don't want rotten eggs exploding in your incubator!!

. Have you tried the float test? Or sniffed them to see if they are starting to stink? Another bad sign is seepage. I have had some that started to have liquid ooze or seep or bubble up on the outside of the shell. They were ROTTEN. Usually, if I have chicken eggs that haven't hatched by day 25, I toss them and try again later.

Listen, if your broody is setting on chicken eggs---and all the eggs were put under her the same day-------you got problems. I have set over 150 broody hens in 3 years and ALL hens hatched the hatchable eggs by day 21. I do not remember any going into day 22. Have you candled the eggs----if they are chicken eggs---they have got to be getting pretty rotten.

Now if the eggs were added at different times---Who Knows?

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Today was day 28, not pips yet, Mama got off the nest to stretch and eat, and there was no sign of hatching today. Maybe tomorrow?

Today marks 29 days for my broody hen. I'm relieved to see someone else taking a bit longer than the 21 days I had read abt earlier. Fingers crossed for chicks

soon!!!

I agree with the others. My eggs took 30-31 days, but they were turkey eggs, which take on average of 28 days. If your hen has not hatched out chicken eggs by day 29, they are mostly likely duds. Sorry!