Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Alexander]

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yep large fowl, there should be a differnce in weight from one that has a chick in it to one that doesn't. Hope your dad has good news for you, can you get some baby chicks to put under mama if perchance these aren't viable? you have a rooster?

I have lots of roosters but they are not in the proper age to breed.They are young.I had one good one but he was fighting like hell with my tom and i had to kill him.

It surprised me that my father said that it was lighter than normal,I expected he would tell me it would be heavier

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Well here in greece i cant buy day old poults or chicks.You will never find any.The only babies you will find are 8 weeks +.

I am really dissapointed.I hate it when my father is right because now in a day or two he will tell me "I told you so son".


Well i still have some eggs in an incubator due 2-3 june.

We will see.

And good night everyone.(lol its day for you)

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

Here they are. Speckled Sussex and RIR. Going to slip them in later tonight. I almost took a mystery chick, yellow with gray head. But in the end I was too afraid. Always wanted a Sussex, should be fun.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Cuties Fox, I am sure them girls will be thrilled with their chicks.

 

[pontoosuc]

My question is: When to let Mother and her 10, 2 1/2 week old chicks back into the general population
full time?

They get out all together in the AM and PM for a little bit but when I'm not there I put them back into
the fenced off area within the coop.

Mother is a really good mother and very protective.

Thank you. Love this thread!

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I let my hen and her chicks out for the first time about day 3 she took them straight into the main coop with everyone. You might give her the option. None of the adult chickens messed with their chicks.

 

[retiredwithchicks]

Well, I have 3 silkies that went broody at the same time and sitting on the same nest or a nest running together. They are always there side by side. Don't know how this will work when the chicks are hatched and who will claim who. Anyone else had this to happen and any advice? I have had lots of luck with my other broody hatches and expect the same with this one.

 

[countrygirl911]

hi everyone i have a broody my question is i use milk crates as the nest boxes and the open end is up will this be safe for the chicks after they hatch or should i build them a little ramp or flip the box over and on the ground she has only been on the box for 2 days and i am scared to move her right now. afraid i might break her and confuse her if i move the box in another spot

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I have had hens share a nest before and they did fine. They both shared the responsibility of the chicks and never had a fight. How many eggs are they sitting on?

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I'd wait till the chicks hatch then turn the crate on it's side so when mama decides to take them out they will be on the ground. That way when she goes back into the nest the chicks can follow her. Congrats on the broody and let us know how it goes..

 

[countrygirl911]

Quote:
I'd wait till the chicks hatch then turn the crate on it's side so when mama decides to take them out they will be on the ground. That way when she goes back into the nest the chicks can follow her. Congrats on the broody and let us know how it goes..

thank you i will keep you posted will the mamma hen know where to go when i flip it over in its side and put it on the grown or should i do all of them to make sure she can get her chicks in safe and sound