Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
If the eggs are rotten, they won't hatch.

I may give her some new eggs, but don't really want anymore mutt chicks.

~ Aspen

 

[newlyweds]

Just wrote on my blog about my Big Mama (that is successfully raising 21 chicks, 3 of which she hatched herself)
Here's the link if your interested.
http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2011/08/03/big-mama/

And a pic of Mama and chicks.

 

[BooBear]

Newlyweds,
She looks happy with her babies. 2 of the chicks look like they are kissing next to her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I could have spent all day reading your blog "sweet pea" has Big mama had her clutch out and about yet? she will be the talk of the barn yard when she does

.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
What a super momma!

~ Aspen

 

[hillbillycitygirl]

just about lost a finger today, while trying to change the water in the brooding box, apparently momma doesnt want any visitors today. lol. Shes one nasty little thing when shes protecting her kiddos but super passive with the other hens so I am not letting her out to roam with her little kiddies just yet. I have a few RIR's who are super dominant and I dont want anyone getting injured. Im pretty sure the one chick is a phoenix X RIR or BR carrying the traits of the Phoenix though...looks just like the Phoenix chick pics on BYC and the other one....I have no idea. I had 6 eggs under there and only these two hatched. Any ideas about a black chick with a touch of yellow under the wing?

 

[Niss]

I let my little family out starting Saturday. You should see Wiggens going after the dog! Not that the dog is any kind of threat

Through the day I keep them in the little broody cage then let them out once I'm home. Mama does protect them, but what worries me is the chicks going through the run fence and Mama not being able to get to them. Once I let everyone free, if the chicks do go through the fence there isn't a hen in there to hurt them.

 

[Tiss]

It looks like I get to participate here again. I just had another RSL go broody (and here I thought they were bred not to). Lacey started clucking like a mother hen three days ago. It was too funny watch her dig up a grub then cluck for her non-existent chicks to come get some.

I'm getting her some black copper marans eggs in the next couple of days. My last broody has 2 surviving BCM chicks who are about 3 weeks old now. I'm no expert, but if I had to put money on it, I'd guess they are both boys.

Back to the drawing board.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:

 

[newlyweds]

Quote:
I could have spent all day reading your blog "sweet pea" has Big mama had her clutch out and about yet? she will be the talk of the barn yard when she does

.

Thank you!! Yes she is in my breeder grow out pen, so any of the other chickens get too close, she swiftly chases them away. All the chicks are doing well and so is big mama.