Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[NottinghamChicks]

Finally! My first time ever to have a hen go broody. She is a year old Silkie Mix and she was determined to hatch all her coop mates eggs despite the fact that I do not have a roo

My friend had a bunch of fertile eggs (barnyard mixes)that she was willing to give to me for my girl so I came home with 6 eggs today to set under her and she is so happy that I have not touched them at all. I put her in a dog crate in the coop because everyone insists on laying in her nest and I didn't want any "accidents".

I cannot wait to see them peeking out from under momma

This is Fiona, and she is a happy little broody

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
I think you forgot to add Key West Hens in there. They are excellent mothers and go broody very easily. I just had two go broody a few days apart and hatch chicks the same day. They are sharing mothering of 17 babies!! Here they are when they were first hatching out chicks together

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
I think you forgot to add Key West Hens in there. They are excellent mothers and go broody very easily. I just had two go broody a few days apart and hatch chicks the same day. They are sharing mothering of 17 babies!! Here they are when they were first hatching out chicks together

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/sultry_jasmine_nights/Chickens/2mommas.jpg

Sumatra's are also great broodys and mothers. Although being Asian, they mature slower.

 

[key west chick]

Ditto on the Key West hens. Ive had 3 so far this year.

 

[phasianidae]

Quote:
I think you forgot to add Key West Hens in there. They are excellent mothers and go broody very easily. I just had two go broody a few days apart and hatch chicks the same day. They are sharing mothering of 17 babies!! Here they are when they were first hatching out chicks together

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/sultry_jasmine_nights/Chickens/2mommas.jpg

Sumatra's are also great broodys and mothers. Although being Asian, they mature slower.

Also add Old English Games both standard and bantam, and American Games both standard and bantam.

 

[countrygirl911]

my hen is driving me crazy she can not make up her mind she sits for hrs and leaves the nest and does not go back till the next day and try again she is wasting the eggs. i make sure i collect the eggs everyday but early in the morning 12 of my chickens lay and they use the same box and she hops on so i have to throw away the eggs because she sits for 6 hr and they have started to develop and when she gets off for more than 6 hrs the embryos die will she ever make up her mind. guess i will have to go out every hr on the hr to collect the eggs to make sure she does not sit on them until i know for sure she is ready. how long does it take for her to go full broody this has been going on for 3 days now. she is a BR and also one of my RIR is acting the same

 

[eleanorkay]

My two banties were due to hatch yesterday. One has 4 babies but no action from the other clutch. If my other banty doesn't hatch soon could I give her two of the other bantys'
chicks or is this not a good solution?. If I have to go buy day olds at TSC I'll have to get 6. What do you think? Am I crazy? Thanks for the info and all your good advice. This is my first time hatching.

 

[jennifersmith326]

Out of 8 eggs, only 5 hatched. I got 1 Salmon Faverolle and 4 Barred Rocks or Cuckoo Marans. They look the exact same so i have no idea which they are.

 

[angidee]

I have two banties due to hatch in the next few day soon too!
I think I would give her a day or two more (did you candle to make sure there are little chickies brewing in those eggs?), you can't know for sure when she finally hunkered down and got the process officially started, so she could be a day behind but right on schedule.

 

[mommom4]

OK. Friday is our target day with the broody way. 1st timer: The weather overnights is to be 40-50. If we take the one broody out with the 6 eggs and use a dog pen, will we need to move them indoors? Can the hen keep newly hatched chicks warm enough around the clock outside in that climate at night? Days could be 60's-80 in NC.
so... when do chicks have the ability to be mobile? Also, there is an egg a day for the 6 days. Are we in for a 6 day hatching period? Thanks, friends!