Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Solanacae]

I picked up my hatching eggs today! We have a cockerel but my adult ladies think he’s young and annoying still so he hasn’t been able to breed anyone yet. Pullets not laying yet, hens chase him away. Poor guy. I’m waiting until Monday to put them under my broody since I’ll be out of town in a few weeks a don’t want them hatching while I’m gone. I’m so excited!

 

[Ponypoor]

Food and water just out of reach has her getting up and less chance of pooping on the eggs.
Mine usually get up the hottest part of the day. Although I have had a few get up first thing.
I have had some go back to the wrong nest box and the eggs were cold but still hatched, probably off for 6 hrs.

Update: Well it's been a week and as I didn't see Henny getting off the nest at all I have been taking her out once a day to eat, poop and move about.

My huge worry is that she is not drinking, I put her right next to the water but she won't drink it. I have been soaking the feed to make a sort of porridge for all the hens and she eats that eagerly, in fact gobbles down food with great gusto. Both the porridge and the dry feed when I bring her out.

Last night she had a large loose stool which caused me some concern as I hadn't seen her do that before, but she was still eating.

My question: How worried should I be that she is not drinking? And she just will not get off that nest on her own at all.... I am going to candle the eggs on Sunday (that will be day 9 so should see at least blood vessels - ? ).

 

[Solanacae]

So I gave my broody some eggs and she has been diligently sitting on them for 4 days now, plus the 5-6 is sitting in golf balls. When I get her off the nest, my cockerel has started crowing when he sees her outside. There have been a couple of times that he’s tidbitted and then chased her. She used to chest bump him and put him in his place but not since she went broody.

I’m thinking it would be wise to have them separated when she’s off the nest, but this is my first time raising chicks with a broody and the first time I’ve had a cockerel too. (I’m on the fence with keeping him but he’s still young - 5 months - and want to give him a chance.)

I bring her food and mealworms to make sure she’s eating, but she has to go out of the coop to get a drink or dust bathe. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Ponypoor]

So I gave my broody some eggs and she has been diligently sitting on them for 4 days now, plus the 5-6 is sitting in golf balls. When I get her off the nest, my cockerel has started crowing when he sees her outside. There have been a couple of times that he’s tidbitted and then chased her. She used to chest bump him and put him in his place but not since she went broody.

I’m thinking it would be wise to have them separated when she’s off the nest, but this is my first time raising chicks with a broody and the first time I’ve had a cockerel too. (I’m on the fence with keeping him but he’s still young - 5 months - and want to give him a chance.)

I bring her food and mealworms to make sure she’s eating, but she has to go out of the coop to get a drink or dust bathe. Any advice would be appreciated!

I hear ya on the first time thing. I also have a young rooster here, he is about 4.5 months but ALL rooster. He matured early and hasn't look back!

Once he got his hormones figured out (and other body parts/functions) he is turning out to be a really nice rooster. I plan on just keeping things as they are here, once/if my wee hen hatches out her eggs. I am fortunate that I am around all day so can keep a close eye on things and I have the space to separate if need be. But the one thing I learnt with my horses is that it is better to just 'keep the herd together'.

I guess as long as he isn't picking on her and she is doing her 'thing' then I would just take a watch and wait approach. But then what do I know - like you I am 'winging' it!

 

[Faraday40]

Update: Well it's been a week and as I didn't see Henny getting off the nest at all I have been taking her out once a day to eat, poop and move about.

My huge worry is that she is not drinking, I put her right next to the water but she won't drink it. I have been soaking the feed to make a sort of porridge for all the hens and she eats that eagerly, in fact gobbles down food with great gusto. Both the porridge and the dry feed when I bring her out.

Last night she had a large loose stool which caused me some concern as I hadn't seen her do that before, but she was still eating.

My question: How worried should I be that she is not drinking? And she just will not get off that nest on her own at all.... I am going to candle the eggs on Sunday (that will be day 9 so should see at least blood vessels - ? ).

She may be drinking when you're not around. If you're concerned just continue adding some water to the food. You could also give some irresistible treats like watermelon, grapes, apple, etc. to get extra water in her that way. Hens don't eat & drink normally when broody. They often lose a little weight but will make up for it after the eggs hatch.

 

[Faraday40]

So I gave my broody some eggs and she has been diligently sitting on them for 4 days now, plus the 5-6 is sitting in golf balls. When I get her off the nest, my cockerel has started crowing when he sees her outside. There have been a couple of times that he’s tidbitted and then chased her. She used to chest bump him and put him in his place but not since she went broody.

I’m thinking it would be wise to have them separated when she’s off the nest, but this is my first time raising chicks with a broody and the first time I’ve had a cockerel too. (I’m on the fence with keeping him but he’s still young - 5 months - and want to give him a chance.)

I bring her food and mealworms to make sure she’s eating, but she has to go out of the coop to get a drink or dust bathe. Any advice would be appreciated!

I'm guessing the boy misses her.

If you're out with the chickens when she takes her bio break, just run a little interference if the male is getting obnoxious. Cockerels have a lot to learn about hens and in the meantime, you may get some hens with bald heads or backs. Normally roos figure it out in time. If he's still hen crazy and hormonal past 1 year, then you may want to replace with a gentler boy.

 

[Solanacae]

I'm guessing the boy misses her.

If you're out with the chickens when she takes her bio break, just run a little interference if the male is getting obnoxious. Cockerels have a lot to learn about hens and in the meantime, you may get some hens with bald heads or backs. Normally roos figure it out in time. If he's still hen crazy and hormonal past 1 year, then you may want to replace with a gentler boy.

I’m not sure if he misses her - he’s not the daddy of any of the eggs she’s sitting on. (The eggs are from a breeder who lives nearby.) As far as I’ve seen, he hasn’t been able to convince any of the hens to let him mount them, and none of the eggs we’ve been getting are fertile. I’ve been trying to stay hands-off with him as much as possible so he doesn’t develop human-aggression problems, per the advice I’ve read here on BYC.

 

[Solanacae]

I hear ya on the first time thing. I also have a young rooster here, he is about 4.5 months but ALL rooster. He matured early and hasn't look back!

Once he got his hormones figured out (and other body parts/functions) he is turning out to be a really nice rooster. I plan on just keeping things as they are here, once/if my wee hen hatches out her eggs. I am fortunate that I am around all day so can keep a close eye on things and I have the space to separate if need be. But the one thing I learnt with my horses is that it is better to just 'keep the herd together'.

I guess as long as he isn't picking on her and she is doing her 'thing' then I would just take a watch and wait approach. But then what do I know - like you I am 'winging' it!

Haha, I hear you. The cockerel doesn’t seem to bother my broody when she’s on the nest, just when she’s outside for a break. I love the idea of having a rooster and this guy was super sweet as a chick. He’s very wary of humans but has done some dominance displays with one of my dogs - who likes to follow the chickens around and either point at them or sniff their butts. So I don’t necessarily blame the cockerel for being a little defensive towards the dog. I just don’t want it to spread to people.

 

[Faraday40]

I’m not sure if he misses her - he’s not the daddy of any of the eggs she’s sitting on. (The eggs are from a breeder who lives nearby.) As far as I’ve seen, he hasn’t been able to convince any of the hens to let him mount them, and none of the eggs we’ve been getting are fertile. I’ve been trying to stay hands-off with him as much as possible so he doesn’t develop human-aggression problems, per the advice I’ve read here on BYC.

I meant he wants to mate. He really, really wants to mate. He's young and has no clue how to impress the hens. Many cockerels will tidbit (then eat all the treats themselves). They also chase the hens and mate if they catch them. (Easier to ask forgiveness than permission) A good hen will teach him a lesson. A horny cockerel will usually grow out of it. On the pro side, a good rooster will always watch and protect his flock.

I only had one "unpredictable" rooster.... out of several wonderful Orpington roosters. The one wasn't exactly aggressive, but sometimes he'd attack the pooper scooper. My son (when 3-year old) ran from him once & after that the rooster felt he should chase my son. Needless to say, we didn't keep the roo. Never run or change your course / pace for a rooster. If he's standing his ground just walk by him - but also keep an eye on him so he doesn't try to sneak up behind. After all, he's just a bird. I pick mine up and carry them to bed in the garage each night. They get used to it. By the time they're a year old, any person can just bend down and scoop up the rooster at any time of day.

 

[Solanacae]

I meant he wants to mate. He really, really wants to mate. He's young and has no clue how to impress the hens. Many cockerels will tidbit (then eat all the treats themselves). They also chase the hens and mate if they catch them. (Easier to ask forgiveness than permission) A good hen will teach him a lesson. A horny cockerel will usually grow out of it. On the pro side, a good rooster will always watch and protect his flock.

I only had one "unpredictable" rooster.... out of several wonderful Orpington roosters. The one wasn't exactly aggressive, but sometimes he'd attack the pooper scooper. My son (when 3-year old) ran from him once & after that the rooster felt he should chase my son. Needless to say, we didn't keep the roo. Never run or change your course / pace for a rooster. If he's standing his ground just walk by him - but also keep an eye on him so he doesn't try to sneak up behind. After all, he's just a bird. I pick mine up and carry them to bed in the garage each night. They get used to it. By the time they're a year old, any person can just bend down and scoop up the rooster at any time of day.

I’ve always made sure the chickens move for me, and my kids do the same, but possibly because they’re just oblivious. So far, no problems with the kids, but that is always on my mind when they’re out there.