Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[cheez1e]

Here are some of the chicks. I need to get out and take more. Right now we have the jersey on a new nest, we'll see how that goes, and possibly another. Plus 2 bantam rirs sitting and another russian orloff. I love having so many chicks! And I love seeing a bantam orloff taking 15 chicks under her wing, they are really protective of their babies.

 

[stonykill]

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I haven't candled. I've looked up how to do it but I'm not sure I have anything bright enough to feel justified. She kicked another out and I cracked it open and buried it in the compost and there was growth, blood vessels etc. I don't necessarily want all the eggs to hatch but since this is our first time I just put all the eggs under her that I received and figured there would be losses along the way and some that just don't make it. She is a rather small EE but is really serious every time I look in on her. I'm trying to figure out if I want to move her out of the run at some point or just leave her to be the defender of the babies as from what I've read many hens just protect the babies for a number of weeks and they are fine among the rest. There are only 6 hens total in this housing unit that consists of a 4X4 coop and laying box area about 4 feet off the ground with a 4X16 run, the broody is still in an animal carrier under the coop. The alpha definitely lets everyone know she is boss but squats for us humans.
On day 12! Any advice is appreciated!

She should be fine with the rest, they seem to respect mama and her babies.

not only fine, but I find it easier than trying to add "new" chickens in at 4 to 6 weeks old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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She should be fine with the rest, they seem to respect mama and her babies.

not only fine, but I find it easier than trying to add "new" chickens in at 4 to 6 weeks old.

stony, do your Pekins go broody?

 

[stonykill]

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not only fine, but I find it easier than trying to add "new" chickens in at 4 to 6 weeks old.

stony, do your Pekins go broody?

They are still infants...even though you wouldn't know it from looking at the MONSTERS! But they aren't supposed to. My friend (who gave me the Pekin eggs I incubated) said he tried and tried and his wouldn't. I'm not expecting them too. But if they did, it wouldn't hurt my feeling, or surprise me any......

 

[JulieNKC]

 

[Crabella]

And we have at least one zipping! ... I just took a little peek under momma's wing, but didn't disturb her further than that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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sweet pic.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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That restraint we were talking about, zip out the window huh..

 

[Miss Lydia]

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stony, do your Pekins go broody?

They are still infants...even though you wouldn't know it from looking at the MONSTERS! But they aren't supposed to. My friend (who gave me the Pekin eggs I incubated) said he tried and tried and his wouldn't. I'm not expecting them too. But if they did, it wouldn't hurt my feeling, or surprise me any......

How many boys and girls do you have? I have read some have Pekins that go broody and others don't. Maybe yours will be some of the ones that do

 

[JEB NC 10]

So today I took the plunge and put 13 eggs under my broody....wait for it....Golden Comet! Hoping she doesn't let me down. She went broody last week. Began sleeping in the nestbox and staying there about 80% of the day. She'd come out briefly when let the other 3 out to free range in the evenings. She'll do a quick stroll around the yard, grab some water and food and she's right back in the nestbox. So, here's hoping for some 4th of July chicks!