Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Erin [BarefootMom] just read your blog, sounds like a wonderful place to live and i love the name Half Way, and that Birthday cake sounds yummy!! I had one of those independent stubborn, toddlers her name is Wendy, she is now 43 yrs. old. believe me you have your work cut out for ya.

 

[BittyBanty]

Four or five days to go and my broody hasn't kicked any eggs out of the nest. I have to devise a way to swap her into another box as soon as the chicks are here, the lip on what she is in is too high. I have a plan and I pray it will work. Something odd that has occured with her behavior, none of my birds are hand tame but she has taken to running after me and eating out of my hand every morning for the last week. I hope it continues!!

 

[sandracollins]

I checked on the ducklings at lunch time and there was not much progress so I made the hole bigger and wet the membrane a bit ,I eased the head out and all the yolk was absorbed so I brought them into the house and have them under the heat lamp.I didnt want to leave them with the hen because she has 13 more to go and some are 2 days later than the rest.There were 5 more that were externally pipped so I made the hole a bit bigger and wet the membrane a bit ,it was very dry.

for the rest ,how do I know if they are too hot under the lamp,what temp should it be

 

[remist17]

I have 7 pullet chicks right now. 2 orphington, 2 austrolops and 2 delawares and with the order came some unknown males. Is it smart to try and see if any of the pullets will sit on eggs or just buy fert eggs? I have never hatched out eggs nor had chicks. Just grew up with chickens for eggs to eat.
I think that this could be a learning expierence for my daughter and I.
Any suggestions on how to get start and what to do I would appreciate it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old are your pullets remist17? and the hens will let you know when they are ready to sit. when that happens hopefully you will have seen the roo with them. and that way you'll know you have fertile eggs. It's a wonderful experience for all of us and I'm sure you and your daughter will enjoy it. When your pullets start to lay then you can start watching for a broody. heres a link that might help. http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html
I had read that it's hard for call ducks to hatch because of their short bills, I hope the rest hatch for you sandra and for chicks the first week the brooder temp should be 95* then drop 5* every week after.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I tried to post this earlier and had a hard time getting any responces. I had my first broody hatch yesterday, 3 eggs only one chick so far. She's sitting on a green EE egg and I use to be able to see an air cell and now I don't...what does that mean? Candeling green eggs is such a challenge. My other brown egg still shows an air cell clearly...the rest of the egg is dark. Do these chicks have a chance? Was it bad I candled them at this stage, they should be hatching.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It wasn't bad that you candled, when you put the egg up to your ear do you hear anything when mine was about to hatch I could hear peeping. I am sorry I don't know about why you saw an air cell and now you don't. Maybe someone that has experienced this will be haere shortly to help. Hopeing for a good outcome to your remaining eggs

 

[Heartlandrabbitry]

I have some great news! One of the eggs finally hatched!!!

I found the little baby chick this morning while mom got up to eat! It is sooooo cute! I'm guessing it must of hatched last night/sometime this morning! My mom and I are so excited! This is our first time ever hatching chicks from under a broody hen!

Should I separate mom and the chick away from the flock?

Here's a picture of the chick

 

[kingdr85]

do not separate...mom will do a good job at protecting the chicks (99.99% of the time). CUTE CHICK!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

X2 kingdr, my hens and chicks are in the main coop with the adults, she would probably go right back there any way. Sweet picture Congratulations