Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

X2!!!

I have a question, 2 of my hens have pretty much given up mothering during the day. One set of 2 were 3 weeks old this past weekend the others are closer to 5 weeks, I am not so much concerned about the older ones but the younger ones I am it's rainy and very cool 47* and just want to be assured that they will be okay without mom to warm them, the 2 younger went into the coop on their own but it's cool in there too. Will they be okay or should I put up a heat lamp for them? I don't want to interfer if they will be okay.

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
good question. My 3 plus week olds are still hanging with mom. I will say she doesn't stop to warm them up very often. The temp and rain is the same here today.

My incubated Sumatra's have gone out in their pen all day long in similar temps and weather and been fine. They eat and act like little chickens all day long without showing signs of being cold. I think they will be fine, but I also suppose it can't hurt to have a heat lamp up. I even think I would put one up as an option for them. If they chose not to use it, you know they are ok.

 

[Terri O]

Quote:
X 2! I like to leave mine alone for the most part too. I like them to "just be chickens" I guess. I get my favorites that will jump into my lap or follow me around, but it is way too much work to get them all tame! Now maybe if I didnt have so many it would be another story....Terri O

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
X 2! I like to leave mine alone for the most part too. I like them to "just be chickens" I guess. I get my favorites that will jump into my lap or follow me around, but it is way too much work to get them all tame! Now maybe if I didnt have so many it would be another story....Terri O

quite honestly I really feel they are better off that way. They are a little more "predator proof" if they are chickens, as chickens are meant to be. Again IMHO.....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
good question. My 3 plus week olds are still hanging with mom. I will say she doesn't stop to warm them up very often. The temp and rain is the same here today.

My incubated Sumatra's have gone out in their pen all day long in similar temps and weather and been fine. They eat and act like little chickens all day long without showing signs of being cold. I think they will be fine, but I also suppose it can't hurt to have a heat lamp up. I even think I would put one up as an option for them. If they chose not to use it, you know they are ok.

thanks stony i think i'll do that, just in case they need it. so far mama is with them at night. I do think mama raised chicks can handle the weather better though.

 

[Chicklette 1]

This morning when I went to see if anything happened during the night, I felt under the hens (2 in one nest) and felt a soft little body!! It was well tucked under mom's wing so I was relieved that it was ok and it was still in the nest. There are 2 more eggs under them so I am just leaving everything totally alone. Hope by the end of today or tomorrow they will all be hatched. There was a day or so in between the eggs so I am prepared to wait. Can't wait to see what they look like. I'll try to get some photos after.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Congrats C1!!

 

[featherz]

Ok, here's my question of the day.. I have another hen going broody, a 1 year old hatchery australorp. I noticed she was in the nest box last night and when I picked her up this morning I noticed her belly was picked clean. She's letting me take her out of the nestbox and is not growling or puffing up yet, but I am guessing these are bad signs.

Problem is, she seems to prefer everyone's favorite nest box. What's the best way to get her to be broody somewhere else? I have a cat carrier I can put in the coop - should I put a few fake eggs in it and plop her in it at night? is it a losing battle?

 

[Chicklette 1]

Quote:
Thanks Miss Lydia,
Next question.......they are in a nest box in the coop and not really blocked off as there is no room to do that and the nest box is only 12x12 with 2 hens sitting in there. How do I get the chick food and water to the babies without the other chickens eating the food?

 

[Chicklette 1]

Miss Lydia,
How is your hen? Did she get better? I haven't read anything.