Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Faraday40]

Sorry to hear about all the broody-zillas.

I've never had an 'aggressive' broody. The worst is a hen that may peck a little bit.... but only if I'm candling her eggs and she feels I'm taking too long.

At the moment Cookie is back in action. I love this sweet little hen. She's a very good mama, keeps tight control of her chicks, and allows me to check eggs & chicks. She does the usual broody grumbles and can do a very good banshee scream if irritated. She's all noise & no action.

Here's a pic of Cookie yesterday. She's got 3 dozen chicks & poults at the moment, but I feel most will sell quickly.

I just love the timing of the photo!

 

[fisherlady]

Cookie certainly is in the running for captain of the all star team!
What a sweetie!

 

[Faraday40]

She just turned 7 last week. Her eggs are soft shelled so I'd much rather she'd save her energy for being broody. With the exception of our soon-to-be 8 yr old hen Tyrion, I believe all of the chickens in our flock were raised by Cookie.

I've actually been looking for a few years to get another bantam orpington but haven't found any with her nice round shape. She's the best of both worlds: large egg setting capacity with all that fluff but only about 3lbs, so no eggs/chicks get accidentally crushed.

 

[fisherlady]

One of our most dependable broodies, Jo, her Mom was our beloved and still missed hatchery silkie Gracie, dad was our senior roo Grayson, a wonderful barnyard mutt.
Jo can be given chicks at anytime after she parks (shortest time has been 9 days if I recall correctly) and she switches to Mommy mode within hours. She has adopted chicks from other hens anytime needed and tends to keep them until they are well trained 8 to 10 week old brats. I seriously think we could pull her off of the roost and give her chicks and she would raise them.
She is now raising 6 Plymouth rock chicks of various varieties...

Another of our SPR pullets also has some of the hatch

And not to be outdone... our White Rock rooster, who weighs in at a dainty 12.5 lbs, shows he doesnt mind doing his share of chick tending as he is a favorite warm spot for the pre teens when they move up onto the shelves with the 'big chickens', only 1 is really visible in this pic but there are 3 others tucked around him.

 

[BullChick]

I gave up, and stopped trying with the broody... assuming it’s the same one. Someone is in a box, and I’m allowing it. The old rooster has only been gone a few days, so these are mutts.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Update:
First hatch in broody hutch, my F1 OE's...both BOYS!!!! Seriously...only 2 hatch and both boys. :/ May consider keeping one as Barney the beloved Barnvelder grandpa roo is in that hutch (though still 100% fertile). He's nearing 5, and I don't know how much longer he will be fertile. Though, he has a happy retirement home forever there. I move the bratty roos out so he can be undisturbed.

Main yard (F2 to F3 breedback of Barnvelder line)
Second side coop...5 chicks...3 look very nicely F4 Barnevelder in conformation...1 wild type...1 black OE/OE/Barn F3 so 50/50 as to what this one will lay, although momma had 75% chance of double blue genes...so should be F4 OE....and she was the only barred out of her batch from my F1OE roo (that died mysteriously)....so this little black beauty is a girl.

Main Coop....side pocket....2 beautiful F4 Barnvelders. Momma has moved to under coop to keep them out of foot traffic.

Main coop...front pocket....1 beautiful F4 Barnvelder. Momma is still in main coop and hasn't ventured out.

Main coop...third pocket....Broodzilla sits on mostly F1 CL/Barnvelder eggs (although I may have a few F2 in by mistake). One broke. I've stopped risking my knuckles and the eggs as nobody seems to be laying under her. I have worked out a check after dark with heavy glove if I glance very quickly. We'll see what she gets in about a week. Hopefully some female F1 OE's (CL/B).

Things are literally hatching
LofMc

 

[fisherlady]

I gave up, and stopped trying with the broody... assuming it’s the same one. Someone is in a box, and I’m allowing it. The old rooster has only been gone a few days, so these are mutts.

Is Steven gone?

 

[BullChick]

Yes, ma’am. I am glad I let him stay a while. Meat Loaf seems trained. Steven Tyler was pushing ML around the other day, and I knew it was time.

 

[fisherlady]

I know he was a good rooster for you but when it is time it is time... and doing what is best for the flock may not be an easy decision to make but it is part of good flock management. Glad ML is working out for you.

 

[BullChick]

Guess what I found? Two girls in the box.