Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

AKsmama, when my one hen saw her chci kfor the first time she did the same thing. Scared me too, maybe the others did it and I just didn't see them, but anyway they have all bonded with their chicks so must not be anything serious. [maybe it is a kiss in chicken language]

Congratulations on a broody amyable, let us know how it goes

marymac if you move your broody be sure to keep her closed up till she's ready to bring the babies out, because she'll go back to her original nest. Once she brings them out she'll probably take them back to the coop. Thats what mine have done anyway. As far as your PR going with her thats your call, but I do think broodiness is contagious, I started out with 1 and ended up with 7 total all in about 1 week. looking forward to hearing about hatch!!
Whimsy, the glowing one can be tossed and congrats on the rest. keep us updated.
I went out to check on my last 2 broodys and 1 has pipped it's the bantam egg, the 4 Brahma eggs haven't started yet. so it will be a long day.
Congrats on all the pipping, setting and hatching going on.

 

[AKsmama]

Two more hatched early this morning- when I went to check on them at 5:30 a.m. they were still wet. Another is almost done zipping, so that will make 5. I think that will be it. Two haven't pipped at all and I hear no peeping when I gently shake. I hear no sloshing, either, but I can feel some clunking, so I am assuming they grew then died for some reason. That leaves one more egg to be accounted for, but I am leaving her alone for now. I figure we'll know by this evening if any more will hatch.

The chicks, what I have seen of them, are sooo tiny and cute. I just love their little stubby wings. I can't wait to get them out in a few days and try to take pictures! I put a bit of scratch on the edge of the box for mama and she made the tuck-tuck food call as she ate. One little dry one was brave enough to come out from under her.

 

[krcote]

Well all, I ended up with one lonely chick. She screamed for the better portion of last night. I NEED to find her a buddy. I posted on the NH thread, asking if anyone near me could spare a chick. We have a law in NH that feed store can sell no less than 12 chicks at a time. I am not interested in getting her 12 buddies!!!

 

[ldrwnorman47]

Help Please.

I have a broody hen on 18 eggs. Yesterday/last night was her day 21. They havent hatched yet. No pips NOTHING !
This happened to me the last time I hatched eggs under my broody. She was a day late. Why is this, what am i doing wronge.
I havent messed with this hen at all. No candeling nothing!

Please advise.

Logan

 

[krcote]

Quote:
All hens vary in temp. Hatching time will then vary. Mine began hatching "a day late" as well. But who is to say when late is?

 

[ldrwnorman47]

krcote Thanks, that makes me feel better,but Its making me absolutley crazy. I get all excited about hatch day and NOTHING. Crossing my fingers shes just delayed a bit.

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
the drive is long but...... I'm in NY near the mass border. I have chicks to spare. Sumatra's. The youngest is 24 hours old at noon today. The others are 1 week old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

krcote, sorry you only got one chick, is it with mama? she'll take care of it and if you find it some buddies hopefully you'll be able to graft them to your broody. Did you post on the NH thread? where am I where are you? might get response from that.

 

[krcote]

Quote:
I took the eggs from her because she killed the first two that hatched so I certainly do not trust her with this one! I posted on the NH thread and haven't had any responses but I am headed out to see a woman from CL.

 

[Miss Lydia]

good hope everything works out, and sorry about the chicks. I remember your posting that now. let us know what you get.