Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[wilmothfarms]

I have just built a brooder/coop that will accommodate a sick hen, a few large standard hens for a coop, or several bantams, new chicks when I need it for just a brooder, or hen or two when they become broody and I want to hatch that way. What do you guys think about putting 1 or even 2 broody hens together with 2 separate nests in the coop if the nests are sectioned off? I have 32 hens - several breeds of which are good brooders and go broody at the same time. ALSO I have new chicks about a week old at this time..can they be placed in the the coop part of the structure when they are feathered with a heat lamp there as well..its enclosed also... with 2 broody hens setting eggs? The nests will be located in the smaller enclosed part of the coop...which is used as a brooder for new unfeathered chicks. I hope all that made sense, its hard to explain with out pictures of the coop/brooder in one. We just made it last night and my neighbor has the new chicks in her brooder for me until I move them over to mine tonight after I put the finishing touches on it.

 

[Pharm Girl]

Quote:
I set her on the eggs last Wednesday. That makes today day 6 or 7 right? I watched a youtube video of egg candling on day 6 or 7 and mine pretty much look the same, so I think they may be OK. I can't see a blob with a dark eye or movement, but there are a lot of veins going on. I realized later that I flushed away the putrified egg, threw away two that looked like duds and gave her back four. That math means she was sitting on one of my other chickens infertile eggs! Whoops. No wonder one of the two I tossed looked like I could eat it. Thanks for the support. I love this site. It's nice to have answers to my million questions.

Hello everyone in the Pac NW! I'm in the Portland burbs. Nice to have local chicken neighbors.....brrrr indeed.

 

[moonlyghtegirl]

Hey -

Can anyone tell me how long a should leave a broody on her nest before I move her to a separate (different) nest away from the rest of the flock?

I had trouble last time I moved her, because she left the nest and wanted to be back with her flock. I don't want to lose another clutch of eggs if I don't have to do so.

Should I block off her view of the rest of the flock when I move her?

Thanks

 

[pistol123]

Thank you Sue Chick and others....Today they have been here three days and they laid 5 eaggs today between the 6 girls. Ok now that you have explained broody to me it helps. I will watch for those symptoms and see if I can hatch some eggs. Can someone please tell when I can let them out to roam, they have been here 3 days. I don't want them to run away.

Thank you so much, Cindy

 

[pistol123]

Miz Mary I'm 11 miles off 205 by Oregon City......

Thank you for you help, Cindy

 

[pistol123]

Hello to Oregon chicken lovers, would would have thought I wold have chickens...I love them.......I call them stress relief and don't have to pay them 100$ a hour! Laugh

Cindy

 

[StephanieD]

My silkie hatched 3 eggs Monday, 1 egg today. The lil chick today has a curved foot and seems weak, but chirps loudly. Silkie is still sitting 99% of the time in the dog crate I have her in on the porch. When should she start standing up and getting her own food and water and want to go outside???

 

[phasianidae]

Quote:
I usually let them sit in the nests with the large laying flock for a couple days to make sure she is really serious. It is best that she cannot see the main flock, Ideally it should be a dark, quiet place.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I have a Japanese mutt hen that is broody..she stays on the nest for around 4-6 hours...then goes to roost at night? I want to give her some eggs..just don't have a place to put her at the moment.

 

[Raven81]

if she goes to roost at nite she isnt ready for eggs yet. give her eggs when she stays in the nest all nite for a few nites.