Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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I use a product called Poultry Protector, I'd cover the eggs with a small towel and spray the inside of the broody's box or nest out to keep ants or any other bug from getting in there. Sorry about your chick. Hard to know what may have happend, how many eggs yet to hatch?

 

[Chiko]

I gave my crazy hen Anna 2 Nankin chicks. I put them under her at night and she's so happy! The only problem is that Anna is at the bottom of the pecking order so everyone picks on her so she runs away leaving her chicks behind. I locked her in the coop while we build her little run

I'll post pictures later!

 

[haTHOR]

5 left. I put DE in for the ants. And I moved her broody box to a large pet carrier in case it was one of the other hens.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Probably a good idea since she is at the bottom which makes her chicks there too. Looking forward to pics..

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Now that is a big possibilty, another hen could have stepped on the egg and cracked it and chick hatched too soon. Good move on your part to move her just in case.

 

[BooBear]

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Well she might as well join the party

Last night I gave both Rita and Saphire the other 6 eggs that were in the bator. Saphire just quietly watched me put the eggs under her and Rita. Rita on the other hand lit up like a kid in a toy shop. She could not decide whether to peck me for touching eggs or coo purr. So she did both!

I sure hope they do alright. This week we are having triple digit heat. Going outside is like walking into an oven.

 

[BooBear]

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Oooo those are rare. I would love to see your baby Naenkins.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Well she might as well join the party

Last night I gave both Rita and Saphire the other 6 eggs that were in the bator. Saphire just quietly watched me put the eggs under her and Rita. Rita on the other hand lit up like a kid in a toy shop. She could not decide whether to peck me for touching eggs or coo purr. So she did both!

I sure hope they do alright. This week we are having triple digit heat. Going outside is like walking into an oven.

Can you put a fan in there with them? I keep fans going constantly and we are just in the upper 80's, but my big brahmas pant like crazy when they are in the nest box. The humidity has been high though. Not much can discourage a broody. lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Oooo those are rare. I would love to see your baby Naenkins.

ME TOO!!!!

 

[BooBear]

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Now that is a big possibilty, another hen could have stepped on the egg and cracked it and chick hatched too soon. Good move on your part to move her just in case.

Ants can overwhelm and kill weaker chicks. The DE helps in deterring them from coming in.
I have been having ant issues do to the drought this year. They are looking for water and are relentless. I try to keep DE sprinkled about to deter them. It does work and acts as odor control too.

Hope your other chicks make it for you.