Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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I am not sure what your talking about as far as your nest and the chicks getting food and water? can you take a picture so its clearer? I actually took mama and chicks out of the nest box and just left them on the bedding, that way they didn't have to try to climb in or out of anything. I elevated the food and water some to keep mama from covering it with shavings when she was digging. If you can move her in the evening just before dark to a place where she will feel safe then it shouldn't be to hard for her especially since she will be protecting her chicks and eggs, probably after 2 to 3 days she'll most likely leave any unhatched eggs to take chicks out. You know your hen best so use your gut feeling about this. Congrats on the hatch by the way!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Congrats on the hatch hill, sorry you didn't get more but you'll enjoy this so much, It's a blast watching mama and chicks. I still have one mama with her 2 and they are 6 weeks old. so precious. Cute names too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Well all my broodys are through for the year they just haven't accepted it yet

I still have 2 sitting on nothing but very broody. I have tried to break them but decided to just let it run it's course. It's been very hot here but I keep fans running 24/7 in both the ducks and chickens houses. an make sure the 2 sitting get off and get water and food. Alot of folks have lost some of their broodys and flock because of the extreme heat. So sad.

 

[haTHOR]

I guess really I mean how does it affect hatch rate, hatch time, etc. I mean we would never let a bator get to 105 yet these eggs are getting it for several hours for days and days on end. Do they hatch faster...are there more foot deformities... Etc?

 

[TrystInn]

Got a quick question - our broody cochin is making a mess in the nest and there's poop on the eggs. Should I take them out and clean them or just leave them alone?

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Is she able to leave the nest area to do her business? Add new bedding but I wouldn't mess with the eggs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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From my own experience out of 9 broodys 1 broody hatched early during some intense heat both had serious problems, momma took care of 1 [killed it ]I had to try and save the other one which wish I had just let mama take care of it too. Very sad. But Haven't heard of but maybe a few more that had problems.

 

[TrystInn]

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Yes, she certainly can. The nest is only about 1/6 of the room of the broody hutch. I can add new bedding without disturbing her much.

 

[haTHOR]

Interesting. I heard a peep yesterday but couldn't get it to happen again and left them, day 18 for a few and day 17 for others. Came back out a few hours later to find a dead chick. Unsure it was mashed or killed or what.

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From my own experience out of 9 broodys 1 broody hatched early during some intense heat both had serious problems, momma took care of 1 [killed it ]I had to try and save the other one which wish I had just let mama take care of it too. Very sad. But Haven't heard of but maybe a few more that had problems.

 

[haTHOR]

Anybody have issues with ants in the nests as chicks pip and zip?