Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Jloeffler]

Kgdubois - I am in NC where it is humid by definition and by dry hatching the humidity maintained itself at around 40%. you probably won't be able to do that since your humidity is so low there to begin with but it does probably need to be a little lower than what you have it at to keep the air cell large enough for the chick to have time to hatch. However, Ive only done this a few times, so you may want to double check (or even triple check ) anything I've said here to be sure!!

BarnGoddess your pics are great! Very adorable! I can't wait for mine to hatch!!

 

[michaelinnc84]

My red production is broody. Oh how I wish I had some fertile eggs.

 

[slurrywidow]

BarnGoddess: Wonderful pics! Thanks for sharing and showing those of us on a first time hatch what to look forward to.

That first pic is my favorite, that little face peeking from behind momma, just love it!

kgdubois: Congrats on the great transfer. Countdown has begun! OH and "Miss Broody Pants"...made me laugh out loud.

My "Miss Broody Pants" was "invited" to get off the nest today. I took the advice and scooted her off. Once she left the crate she went screaming outside right to the dust bathing spot in the yard and bathed like her bum was on fire. DD and I just laughed and laughed. She was kicking herself and knocking herself over. Crazy stuff. While she was out I grabbed some protein and watermelon and stuck it in a bowl right next to her. She started gobbling it up WHILE she was bathing! Just insane behavior, flop around, choke down food, fling dirt, scream, repeat. I was laughing so hard I had to sit down. And the poo...oh my the poo...let's just say she has a reason to look a little perkier now. All took place like the world was going to end in 15 minutes, then she bolted upright and headed straight back to the coop in a screaming run. I had to show her to go to the kennel not the nest boxes but she settled right down. Whew! I think I'm going to "invite" her off the nest once a day.

Wondering...why can't they do the broody turkey bum when I'm trying to look for lice/mites? It would be sooo much easier!

perchie.girl: Really sorry about your losses.

 

[the1honeycomb]

how long after a hen raises her chicks before she starts laying again? and how often can they go broody?? I have 2 hens that have gone broody in the past on has 2 chicks that are about 6weeks old. would like to get some more chicks any ideas. please PM me I can never find the same spot again

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I've got fertile eggs if your interested. just up the mt. if you come 80North. mixed bantamcochin. I have some Lavender Orps and some Buff Brahmas, but don't know if the boys are able to fertilize they are smaller than the girls.

 

[michaelinnc84]

That would be great. I sent you a pm

 

[Jloeffler]

Tomorrow is hatch day! And of course it's supposed to thunderstorm all day so that I can catch pneumonia in order to check repeatedly throughout the day... I heard nothing when I checked today but Pretty had changed position every time I checked which is unusual. Normally she is unmoving. I was reluctant to coax her out of the box at this point. Any advice from the experts as I enter the home stretch?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Lift her up and look, if she's moving around I bet there is piping going on and you can hear peeping. I'd hate for you to miss out on that it's so cool. but If your broody would be to upset then don't do it. I'd just go out and lift mine up and look at the eggs and lift up a few to see whats going on. {kinda like when the nurse comes in to see how far you've dialated before giving birth} lol

 

[Jloeffler]

Quote:
Lift her up and look, if she's moving around I bet there is piping going on and you can hear peeping. I'd hate for you to miss out on that it's so cool. but If your broody would be to upset then don't do it. I'd just go out and lift mine up and look at the eggs and lift up a few to see whats going on. {kinda like when the nurse comes in to see how far you've dialated before giving birth} lol

Awesome analogy!

I've been using my kids plastic beach shovel to gently lift her back end up and shoo her forward. It has a big curved scoop and seems to not bother her as much as me using hands to lift her, and definitely less painful for me! I think I will take a sneak peak. I loved watching my chick hatch so this has to be as good if not better! I feel a little

kind of like waiting to go into labor when I was pregnant!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Lift her up and look, if she's moving around I bet there is piping going on and you can hear peeping. I'd hate for you to miss out on that it's so cool. but If your broody would be to upset then don't do it. I'd just go out and lift mine up and look at the eggs and lift up a few to see whats going on. {kinda like when the nurse comes in to see how far you've dialated before giving birth} lol

Awesome analogy!

I've been using my kids plastic beach shovel to gently lift her back end up and shoo her forward. It has a big curved scoop and seems to not bother her as much as me using hands to lift her, and definitely less painful for me! I think I will take a sneak peak. I loved watching my chick hatch so this has to be as good if not better! I feel a little

kind of like waiting to go into labor when I was pregnant!

Let us know what you find...