Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

well I feel better! It's day 4 of " Black Broody" Mama Sumatra's egg sitting, and I FINALLY saw her get out and eat and drink. Then right back to her nest. She is different than last years broody Sumatra. Last years would seek me out when she got off the nest for a meal. Run right up to my feet and look up at me.This years is complaining the entire time, puffed up, etc.

 

[Jabbok]

I posted a while back about my broody hen, Eisenhower. Well today I went and found one egg has hatched!!!! I am sooo excited and proud of my mamma hen! She has done an excellent job, faithfully sitting on those 5 eggs each day. We should have a few more hatching in the next couple days.

Silly question, but since I've never done this before, do I have to add lighting or anything to where the babies are or will the mamma do all the work at keeping the babies warm? I put some chick starter in with them and only briefly got to see the chick. I know the dad is a Dark Cornish roo and the actual mom of the baby is some type of Leghorn mix (don't know what she's mixed with). It's an adorable little chick though!

When I am able to get pictures, I will post a link to my blog post where the pictures will be! I am super excited!!!

 

[phasianidae]

mommom4 and Jabbok: Yes, the hen will keep them warm.

 

[phasianidae]

Quote:
Do you mean that while she was brooding, you kept adding one egg a day?, or do you mean that they were laid over a six day period and she started setting on them at the same time? Chicks are mobile after a day or so.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

To countrygirl911 in post #207, have you checked inside those eggs that have been incubated for just 6 hours? Is there really any development going on in there? You may not have to waste all those eggs by throwing them away unnecessarily. Perhaps you could try to confine this undecided broody to her own quarters and give her some falsies to set upon. If she decides to take the assignment, then you could swap the falsies for real eggs.

Not every hen has a full component of broody skills. Some do a half-hearted job of it. If this hen isn't a good brooder, just break her of the idea. I have hens who have shown slight interest in brooding, but once broken have never tried it again.

To eleanorkay in post #208, you could *try* to give one hen a few of the other's chicks, but stand by and watch closely. Again, each hen is different. Some will happily adopt others' chicks, others will be happy to raise chicks together. some will peck the tiny giblets out of any strange chick that comes near. You can try it, but be ready to step in if things get rough. If you've been looking for an excuse to get 6 more chicks, then give that hen some store-bought kids. Otherwise, put her in a wire-bottomed cage for a few days & chicks will all be a forgotten idea for her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've got a cohin frizzle bantam sitting on 5 due to hatch on Wed.. then a light brahma sitting on 3 due on the 14th and now 2 more just started today so not sure if they are serious yet.. all the best to those who chose the old fashioned way.

forgot to say Bantams make great broodies and great mothers too, doesn't matter if the chicks are large breed either.

 

[eleanorkay]

Quote:
Thanks. You are so right. When I got home tonight she has a little chick and another pipped. This is so exciting. Have you ever hatched eggs before with a broody?

 

[StormyMoon]

We candled eggs last night and found that my broody has been stealing eggs we found 18 eggs under her, we took 6 from her and candled them they was developing really good but looked to be on day 4 , the others her original 12 , 2 were nothing in them just yolk so she is sitting on 10 now and they all look really well and due to hatch on the 9th.

She has been really good about sitting and i hope she breaks out of her broody self as soon as the babies hatch she looks pretty crazy.

How long do they keep the puffed up look after the babies hatch out?

 

[Miss Lydia]

until they wean them they will still act and look weird

 

[Jabbok]

Quote:
I bought chick starter and that should be good for their food, right?

Thank you!