Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Zoomom]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about Grumpy - she sounds aptly named.

I hope the rest of the eggs will be ok in the incubator.

 

[krcote]

Quote:
Aptly named is correct. I have cursed her existence this morning.

 

[SarahIrl]

Well with my two serama co-mothering three chicks (no eggs in that coop still) and a brahma with four chicks, I have just had two more broodys go down in the last couple of days. Looks like I'll be building this weekend, as I have nowhere to put them and plenty of eggs to give them. Argh! This is getting very very silly. Can I leave them in the big coop do you think? They are both totally determined, and I can give them pre-incubated eggs when ready. I'm just wondering if it could work, there is a bit of a drop from the nest boxes to the coop floor (about 6 inches) and I know chicks won't get back up. Should I put in a small ramp for them and leave them where they are? Have tried moving one broody hen but she goes bang, back to the nest box. There is three hens and a roo in this coop and run. I can't move the roo out as he is huge and I have no other coop big enough for him.

 

[featherz]

I think I may have a broody, although we'll see if she gets out and changes her mind. I've never had one before and since I do have a roo, I'll give her a few eggs if she is in fact broody. She always lays her little egg UNDER the nestboxes and that's where she is now, all spread out. I took her out today and she ate and marched back in. I'm hoping it's ok to leave her in her special under the nestbox space? No one else uses it so seems as good as any other.

So maybe I can join the hatchalong with a few mutt chickies.

 

[chics in the sun]

She does look very secure and cozy down there! Cute.

 

[kingdr85]

I have a silkie hen that went broody (SHE IS TINY). She has been broody for about a week but the eggs were not fertile. I finally got her some fertile eggs and gave them to her yesterday. She managed to cover up 6 good size eggs (standard). I didnt want to give her more than 6 standard eggs. THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS.....I CANT WAIT!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

SarahIr. my hens have to stay in the main coop I have no place else to put them, the roosters don't bother mama and chicks at all. every so often the broody will get pecked on the head when she comes out to eat. but she is acting really weird too,the fun starts when they hatch, thats when new chicks and moms need a few days to get it right.
Congratulations featherz, sounds like you have a broody on your hands. she does look very content there so I'd just leave her there.
krcote, so sorry about Grumpy, I wonder why hens do that to their own? anyway hope the other 3 make it ..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep us informed kingdr85... forgot to say Congratulations

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Quote:
She looks so sweet under there.

 

[hippiehen]

I think I'm going to name my home "Hippie's Home for Broody Hens!"

We've got two more broodies this week, a cochin and a BO, that takes the count up to 12 this spring!! I bought 2 incubators thinking none of my hens were going broody this year. Oh, my poor sweet darling husband.

I'm doing an experiment with the broody cochin - I ordered 3 goose eggs from a BYC'er! She's a fattie so she's big enough to cover them - I can't wait!!