Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[azhenhouse]

ebf. Our hen as hatched out three of the four eggs she was sitting, and I am waiting until today to see what happens. If the other egg doesn't hatch I am going to go to the feed store to get a chick to put under her. Not that she need it, but I do. They just got a shipment of Australorp chicks and I wouldn't mine adding that breed to my flock

If I do add the chick I hope she will except it

I am glad your hen did. I know what you mean about addicting. We started out with chickens, and now ducks for my son who joined 4-H. Guess who's having more fun? Me!

Miss Lydia

I know the excitement you are feeling. It's totally awesome!

I love that you could here the chicks chirping through the egg. What a wonderful Easter gift.

 

[Zoomom]

Thanks Miss Lydia for the reassurance. I hope since it is early on she gets the hang of it all!

 

[Miss Lydia]

She will Zoomom, I was concerned about mine since only 2 out of 7 that went broody were 2nd year broodys, but they seem to be getting the hang of it now, When my first newbie hatched her 2 on the 12th, I didn't think she'd ever get out of the nest box with them. She has turned out to be an awesome mom. Best of Luck!! and keep us posted.

 

[Zoomom]

Thanks again, Miss Lydia.

Glad to hear encouraging words that I just need to have faith the chicken knows what to do!

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Great to hear that so many are going the old fashioned way and having sucess. I wondered about a young hen sitting but my Silkie mix Fiona who is 8 months did a phenominal job. She was on 6 eggs and I only found 5 chicks, hmmmm. One hatched on day 19, and the rest on day 20. I put a lamp above them to encourage them to come out more and explore. It was 35 degrees and it has been snowing here all morning. Come on Spring!!!

Here are the latest pics of Billy and his sister, Winona, and Cricket the tiny Dutch Bantam. Keep posting pics everyone, can't get enough!

 

[azhenhouse]

Hey all, our last egg has not hatched yet. It was due to hatch yesterday, and I am wondering how long we should wait before we give up on it. Broody is still sitting on it and is very protective of it. When she got up this morning to stretch and potty I picked up the egg. There is no pipping or chirping coming from the egg. On one side of the egg we noticed a darker spot, but I don't know if that means anything. It could be a stain or something.

Should I give it until the end of the day or wait until tomorrow?

 

[stonykill]

update on the broody soap opera. The 3rd potential black Sumatra broody is still playing. She left Mama S's nest, and I put Mama S back on her eggs. She was nesting on some really warm golf balls

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Quote:
I hear if you float the egg in water and it sinks it's bad. Anyone else think this may be a good way to tell??

 

[bburn]

Quote:
I hear if you float the egg in water and it sinks it's bad. Anyone else think this may be a good way to tell??

Maybe go out at bedtime and when it is dusk outside and candle it.....that is my plan with the broody I am moving to safer quarters tonight.

 

[Miss Lydia]

very sweet pictures Nottingham! sorry your still having snow, here in these mountains of N.C. it's like summer today, upper 70's.