Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[BullChick]

I had an Ameraucana with a broken leg. I don’t know how it happened, or when. She was fine when she went broody, and brought her chicks out to explore. When I put a second broody in with her, they switched. She sat on the fresh eggs, and the new girl took the babies. She sat and sat, chicks popped out, and were running around (prefab coop, so they were not going anywhere). I put her on the ground, and took the eggs that were a week past due...
The second time is here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/recovery-from-an-explosion.1174370/post-18484562

 

[BigTexChick]

My advice is to candle the eggs to verify they are still viable. If you're unsure in candling possibly you know someone that is good at it. If the eggs were put under the hen at the same time it is likely the hatch is complete, but candling is still a good idea before tossing the eggs. Hatching over 4 days sounds like the eggs were not put under the hen at the same time.

She just naturally acquired this clutch from the hens using that nest. When it was full, I separated her. So, no they are not the same age. She’s still sitting so I’ll leave them be until she stops. I candled them and removed the ones that weren’t viable.

Here’s a weird one—y’all will never believe, I know. She kicked an egg out at about 19-20 days. I usually let the hen tell me which ones she doesn’t want. So I took it inside and planned to let my little boys practice candling with it. It set on my counter for 23 hrs. I forgot about it and then I decided to check to see if there was anything worth seeing, so I candled it. I could see a beak and the air pocket. After I turned off the light, I heard it cheep. I’ve always heard this wasn’t possible after 20-30 min, but it is.

 

[BullChick]

Especially the last few days, it’s always possible.

 

[fisherlady]

Mindy is 'chicky sitting' this morning. With only 2 little ones left to go out to waiting broodies they were getting lonely and cheeping. So we had her settle on the couch and put them near her belly. Took them all of about 30 seconds to get buried into her fluff. Now everyone is happy.

We have 5 broodies we are grafting to this weekend. Hoping all goes well, 2 have only been sitting 10 or 12 days but are experienced broodies. If they dont convert to "mommy mode" we will just shift their chicks to other hens who did.

 

[Perris]

that's adorable @fisherlady

 

[LaFleche]

Mindy is 'chicky sitting' this morning. With only 2 little ones left to go out to waiting broodies they were getting lonely and cheeping. So we had her settle on the couch and put them near her belly. Took them all of about 30 seconds to get buried into her fluff. Now everyone is happy.
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We have 5 broodies we are grafting to this weekend. Hoping all goes well, 2 have only been sitting 10 or 12 days but are experienced broodies. If they dont convert to "mommy mode" we will just shift their chicks to other hens who did.

But how will your sweet dog feel when suddenly deprived of the lovely foster chicks?

 

[BullChick]

Oh my goodness, don’t tell mine they can start already! I’m hoping for eggs until mid-April. With six SPR girls, I’m not sure what to expect when it starts.

 

[BullChick]

But how will your sweet dog feel when suddenly deprived of the lovely foster chicks?

Mindy will go down to the coop, and snuggle them there.

 

[fisherlady]

that's adorable @fisherlady

Thank you, we are blessed to have her to fill in.

But how will your sweet dog feel when suddenly deprived of the lovely foster chicks?

She does get upset, but as BullChick says, she will go out to the coops to get her chick fix.

Oh my goodness, don’t tell mine they can start already! I’m hoping for eggs until mid-April. With six SPR girls, I’m not sure what to expect when it starts.

You know what to expect... about a constant rotation of broodies sitting, hatching, raising and repeating. I suggest waiting until at least 3 are sitting and give them their chicks all at once to minimize headaches, lol. You know how those girls are!

Mindy will go down to the coop, and snuggle them there.

Yep

 

[Faraday40]

Oh my goodness, don’t tell mine they can start already! I’m hoping for eggs until mid-April. With six SPR girls, I’m not sure what to expect when it starts.

Now I miss having a penciled Rock in my flock! She was a great mama.

Both of my silkies went broody in December and they just got some chicks last week. I was able to talk one out of it for a few weeks, but then she went back to the nest.

It's going down to -10'F tonight (colder with wind chill). I normally let them stay outside, but with a high of 3'F this afternoon and a few serama chicks in the mix, I decided to let them start out in the basement.