Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

Quote:

she sounds like she is preparing herself to go broody. I had one Sumatra sit on 13 eggs. She hatched 8. I gave the other to another broody, and they all hatched. "mama" is only about 4 lbs, a little bird, and handled 13 eggs fine. I do however prefer fewer eggs. My guess is 6 is just about perfect

 

[Tanichca]

Quote:

she sounds like she is preparing herself to go broody. I had one Sumatra sit on 13 eggs. She hatched 8. I gave the other to another broody, and they all hatched. "mama" is only about 4 lbs, a little bird, and handled 13 eggs fine. I do however prefer fewer eggs. My guess is 6 is just about perfect

OK. What if I bought her six eggs, and then even if those hatch, bought some day-olds of another breed from a local breeder for her?

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
she sounds like she is preparing herself to go broody. I had one Sumatra sit on 13 eggs. She hatched 8. I gave the other to another broody, and they all hatched. "mama" is only about 4 lbs, a little bird, and handled 13 eggs fine. I do however prefer fewer eggs. My guess is 6 is just about perfect

OK. What if I bought her six eggs, and then even if those hatch, bought some day-olds of another breed from a local breeder for her?

every hen is different. I know my Sumatra's can handle 12 babies. I'm sure someone with Silkies will chime in soon.

 

[bobcart]

Quote:
OK. What if I bought her six eggs, and then even if those hatch, bought some day-olds of another breed from a local breeder for her?

every hen is different. I know my Sumatra's can handle 12 babies. I'm sure someone with Silkies will chime in soon.

12-18 eggs of same size laid by the broody is about it. I have a medium size egg hen (Dominique) on 18 eggs and many of them are larger eggs from Minorca and redcap. She is keeping them all warm, but you can see a couple at the edges. I plan to candle soon and will sadly be reducing some, I'm sure.

I also thought about the idea of buying some day olds to arrive 21 days after the hatching eggs were laid under the broodey. I decided to pass on that, but it could make sense. This is especially true if you are ready to brood them yourself if she didn't do so.

 

[Niss]

I have two chicks!!!!!!
The 1st was hatched when I came home and at that time 2 more had pipped. Since then a second had hatched. I am over the moon happy since the eggs are from my own flock.
Thank you so much! If I hadn't had the stories and support of so many here I would have given up on the idea of hatching my own chicks. And I really wanted a self sufficiant flock.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

MIne are 3 weeks old and I'm still over the moon.

 

[AlienChick]

Quote:
x2

I agree! Thank you for this forum!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Congrats love to hear wonderful news!!!!

 

[heatherkh]

Congratulations!!

 

[AlienChick]

So far my mama Silkie has hatched three babies since Wednesday (two Seramas and one Silkie).
There’s a fourth EE that is pipping as we speak.
This is my very first hatching, so I think it's the coolest thing ever!