Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

QUESTION! My Black Sumatra Broody "Black Broody" is on day 19. She just got off her nest. No problem, but I know Sumatra's hatch early often. So I just checked her nest. There is a pip and she is oof her nest! Should I be concerned or does mama know what she is doing?

 

[stonykill]

OK, I feel better. She was off the nest 5 minutes total. The shortest she has ever been off. I guess she knew that that would be her last leg stretch for a day or 2.
I'm gonna be a daddy! Black Broody is hatching her clutch!

 

[angidee]

OK, I feel better. She was off the nest 5 minutes total. The shortest she has ever been off. I guess she knew that that would be her last leg stretch for a day or 2.

Phew! Congrats!!​

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
Phew! Congrats!!

Phew!!! Was the 1st thing out of my mouth when I saw her back on. I have an incubator running now anyway, so I was going to take her egg if need be. But I guess mama knows best! And TY!

 

[mrsmaonaigh]

We are waiting on our second broody to hatch. Day 22 and no signs.

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

I have 3 broody black orpingtons. If it every stops raining, I will try to take a picture

 

[Miss Lydia]

a beautiful hen and chicks SarahIrl, I saw them on the Brahma thread too. Congratulations on the great hatch.. Well we saw our first big blk snake today, and sent him down over the fence fast. Mama had her babies out and about too, scared me for sure. The snake was still pretty sluggish from it's long winter nap, but this means we'll sure have to be vigilant about watching for it. As for checking for whether chicks have hatched, i just go and lift them up and look they sometimes fuss but most of the time could care less. I am still waiting also I think I got the dates mixed up,

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
Does it mess up pipped eggs when you pick the hen up? Similar to opening an incubator when there are pipped eggs? This is the first broody I've had to hatch eggs for me, so it's all new

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just lift her up far enough to see under her, I am not removing her from the nest. i did it with all of mine so far, don't think it hurts.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
From my experience, it has never messed up any of the pipped eggs. As long as you pick her up gently, you shouldn't have any problems. I do it all the time.