Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Moochie]

I have a cochin that has been broody for a long time.. She is very determined. It's day 5 with another broody, maybe I will put eggs under the cochin but I'm not sure if she will sit on them, considering how long she has been broody already.
2 1/2 weeks she has been going. Do you think if I put eggs under her today she'll sit on them for the 21 days?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Moochie, they can't count. she will probably stay till the end but make sure has plenty of good food might want to feed her chick starter for the extra protein, and lots of fresh water with ACV in it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Niss]

I heard one!

I just hope she keeps any chicks that hatch out contained until I can lift them out of the box.

 

[Moochie]

Quote:
Moochie, they can't count. she will probably stay till the end but make sure has plenty of good food might want to feed her chick starter for the extra protein, and lots of fresh water with ACV in it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

That's a long time of going broody. What's the longest a hen has gone broody, like ever?

 

[slurrywidow]

Quote:

: jumpy

Yay!! Congrats!

 

[slurrywidow]

Oh my...I've read how broodyness is contagious. Sigh. I think my coop is infected. I now have an ameraucana girl that has the bug. She's only a bit over 6 months old! I'm nervous to give her eggs. She's the very lowest in the pecking order and gets pushed around a lot. Plus being so young I wonder how she'll do. Any advice?

 

[Fuffy]

Quote:

: jumpy

Yay!! Congrats!

Congrats!!! Keep us posted!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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I have zero experience with young broodies so I'll let someone else handle that part of the question. As for being low, I would keep her and the kids isolated just a bit longer. I can see from my broody that she won't stand up so bravely to the ones above her which means I keep a watchful eye and provide safety when I can't be around. Doesn't mean the ones above her will cause problems because they really don't seem to be here but if you happen to have one that is a pratt, she might need some help keeping the babies safe.

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
I have zero experience with young broodies so I'll let someone else handle that part of the question. As for being low, I would keep her and the kids isolated just a bit longer. I can see from my broody that she won't stand up so bravely to the ones above her which means I keep a watchful eye and provide safety when I can't be around. Doesn't mean the ones above her will cause problems because they really don't seem to be here but if you happen to have one that is a pratt, she might need some help keeping the babies safe.

I have a 6 month old Sumatra hen that has been sitting for almost 2 weeks now. She is from one of this years broody's and she is doing great!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Moochie, they can't count. she will probably stay till the end but make sure has plenty of good food might want to feed her chick starter for the extra protein, and lots of fresh water with ACV in it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

That's a long time of going broody. What's the longest a hen has gone broody, like ever?

Moochie I had a hen sit for 21 days, the eggs were in fertile. tossed them and she wouldn't get uop so put 3 fertile eggs under her she sat 21 more days and hatched 3 precious chicks, so thats 42 days. I just made sure she got the best food and she got up at least once a day for poo and exercise. she did great.