Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

I love this thread! I love hatching with broody hens, we do it several times a year. We have 2 hens that are regularly scheduled broodys and have raised many clutches! We even had a 2 hen brood one year. They both sat on clutches next to each other and hatched over 10 babies. They co-parented until the babies were feathered. Such a cool experience to see, some pics below!

View attachment 3868477View attachment 3868478View attachment 3868479View attachment 3868480

I enjoy it too but most of the time my scovy gives me drakes so they don't get to hatch any longer. My hens are the best mamas I never get tired of watching mama whether ducks chickens or geese take care of their babies. Beautiful pictures

 

[Molpet]

She already laid her actual egg today so I'm hoping this breaks the cycle at least for today!

Usually when they are broody they quit laying

 

[Bartonsfinest]

This thread was just what I have been searching for! I just started hatching eggs about 2 months ago and I have had a crap ton of questions that I was seeking answers for and I have found ALL the answers I needed! Thank you so much to all the member that had contributed to this thread. All of you are a blessing in disguise for this amateur

 

[Bartonsfinest]

Hopefully member still Converse on here or will post any new info from time to time . I'm watching this thread and to anyone that see my comments if you have any tips or any advice that you think would be beneficial to newbs like myself that have just started hatching eggs with broody hen I am. All ears


Huge THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL MEMBERS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS THREAD. MUCH LOVE AND GOOD LOOKING OUT!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Hopefully member still Converse on here or will post any new info from time to time . I'm watching this thread and to anyone that see my comments if you have any tips or any advice that you think would be beneficial to newbs like myself that have just started hatching eggs with broody hen I am. All ears


Huge THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL MEMBERS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS THREAD. MUCH LOVE AND GOOD LOOKING OUT!

I'm glad you're learning and growing in your chicken adventure! IMO a lot depends on how your chickens are kept; space, and the overall cohesiveness of your flock. These are very important factors in a broody hatching and raising chicks within your flock (along with the actually broody).

 

[Perris]

to anyone that see my comments if you have any tips or any advice that you think would be beneficial to newbs like myself that have just started hatching eggs with broody hen I am. All ears

if you have any questions, just ask.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Question... Is a 4 day set too much for a broody? Like would she continue to let the others hatch after her first bunch? Most of ours have ever started hatching day 20 thru 21.

I set eggs that I wasn't sure on if fertilized, and only have 5 under Mama that are developing and 3 in incubator. I was hoping for more that's why there's two different set dates lol

I have room to brood the 3 by themselves that's not the issue just wasn't sure if I could merge them.

 

[Kabootar]

Question... Is a 4 day set too much for a broody? Like would she continue to let the others hatch after her first bunch? Most of ours have ever started hatching day 20 thru 21.

I set eggs that I wasn't sure on if fertilized, and only have 5 under Mama that are developing and 3 in incubator. I was hoping for more that's why there's two different set dates lol

I have room to brood the 3 by themselves that's not the issue just wasn't sure if I could merge them.

Four days difference seems like a lot. I would not add anymore eggs under a broody if she is sitting for any more than one day.

 

[Perris]

Is a 4 day set too much for a broody?

it's not too much for the broody but it is too much for the first to hatch; they can survive 2-3 days on the absorbed yolk, but then they really need water and food, and if the broody holds them on the nest waiting for the late hatchers, they may die of dehydration/starvation while waiting.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

it's not too much for the broody but it is too much for the first to hatch; they can survive 2-3 days on the absorbed yolk, but then they really need water and food, and if the broody holds them on the nest waiting for the late hatchers, they may die of dehydration/starvation while waiting.

Right forgot about that factor. It was just one of those odd the wall questions I had. I know she's stayed on for two days while they've hatched, but have never had a staggered hatch of any kind. I have everything as is just one of those curiosity questions, and couldn't find much.