Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Carol.in.WV]

Quote:
I have had that happen and it doesn't seem to be a problem, the eggs should hatch but may be a little late. Just MHO.

 

[Carol.in.WV]

Update on my silkie hatching: The eggs were due to hatch on the 17th but only one did and it was late night. In the morning of the 18th there were two more that had hatched and 3 unhatched. This is day 23 and she is still sitting on the 3 eggs and 3 chicks but she did move them around a lot yesterday. This morning one has pipped so I am not giving up hope, although I am tempted to 'help' them along. The eggs are not duds and I don't want to lose them. I think she is only still sitting on them because the chicks can't get out of the dishpan.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi azenhouse, glad to see ya over here, and as far as lock down looks like all hens may be different on that as well, mine seem to go into lock down but i have seen were others will get off for some R&R on hatche day, so just depends. Good luck on the hatch, and now my Brahma that hatched out 2 last week is trying to move her 2 into a nest were another broody is sitting, good grief it's worse than a soap opera

and thanks Carol in WV thats encouraging not for me to get more chickens although I love it, but so after sitting all this time she has chicks to care for.

and congratulations on your new babies looking forward to pictures. and p.s. maybe wait instead of helping babies, Thats not always a good thing..

 

[quiltnchik]

Quick question: I'm wondering how everyone knows what's hatched and how many eggs are left unhatched, etc. Are you moving your hen to see? I went out this morning armed with my camera because my broody was off the nest yesterday afternoon and, when I ran over to check, one of her own eggs had pipped (she has 4 of her own and 3 of my mixed flock's eggs). When I went out this morning and opened the door to her little coop, I didn't see anything but am pretty sure I heard some peeping. I don't want to move her if eggs are pipped, but I want to see what's going on under there. What to do, what to do...

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I check on my hens 3 times a day (morning, after work, and bedtime). I open up the brooders to make sure that they have food, water and I also change out their bedding. ALL of my hens poop right where they are. They DO NOT get up at all. I guess that they know that I clean their areas daily. I always listen for chirping. I have my calendar marked when the chicks are scheduled to hatch, so I start listening on that day or a day or 2 before. Most of my hens are tame and won't fuss, so I lift them up in the back or the side to see if I see any broken eggs from the chicks being hatched. Many times, the babies will stick their little heads out from under mom. I never have a problem with disturbing any of her eggs from gently lifting the hen. The other reason that I check is so that I can change the feed out. When the moms are setting on eggs, I provide laying pellets. But when the eggs hatch, I immediately take the pellets out and put in Starter crumble so that the babies can eat.

If I were you, I would look under her to see what's going on. I don't think that it can hurt anything.

 

[angidee]

This is day 23 and she is still sitting on the 3 eggs and 3 chicks

None of my broody's eggs started hatching until the 23 day. Actually, it was 12 hours into the 23 day. I had 2 broodys and it was the same for both. (Put them under her on a Sunday morning and didn't start hatching until a Tuesday night).
Definitely let her have a little more time before you intervine.​

 

[momofthree]

I have a question......my broody has faithfully sat on all 11 eggs underneath her and i have 10 baby chicks

( had to help out 4 of them after 24 hours because of super thick shell and membrane...all are fine now) and she has one egg left......i did the float test and it floated as a viable egg......i gently rock it back and forth in my hand and i can feel something going back and forth with my rocking......but i do not hear any chirping or tapping or any noise at all........this is day 24, with the first baby hatched on day 22 and the rest during the night of day 22 and day 23......do i leave it for a couple more days?

Just a brag...this is my first broody hatch with my Cochin's first time being broody...she is ending up to be a great brooder and mamma

 

[angidee]

Quick question: I'm wondering how everyone knows what's hatched and how many eggs are left unhatched, etc

I simply take a bit of food in a container and shake it so momma can hear food is coming. Then I sprinkle it a little distance from the food dish so it makes noise as it falls into the dish. Momma knows that's food, so she starts clucking to let the little ones know it's eating time (there is always food, but this entices them to come out and get it while I am there). Then, when the little ones come out to get the food, I do a head count so see who is hatched and who isn't. I do this a couple times a day, because not all the chickies will come out everytime. Sometimes they are busy napping or just want to stay warm and don't come out for food. When I do it a couple/few times a day, I will get a chance to see all the little chickies to make sure my count is correct.​

 

[Keri78]

I'm IN!!!

I officially have 3 Broodies!!! I have one Silkie, one Sizzle, and one Serama...all broody!!! I gave them all serama eggs to hatch! Two got their eggs last night and my serama girl just got her eggs today!

 

[SarahIrl]

Mine went from this:

to this:

Amazing what a couple of days can do!