Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Rachel'sFlock]

Quote:

Thanks for the comfort. Glad to be in such good company.

 

[stonykill]

Quote:

I REALLY don't like getting pecked! Those 3 to 4 lb Sumatra broody's really hurt!

In all seriousness, I only look at the eggs when mama is off the nest. I know when I'm as grumpy as my broody's I don't want anyone touching me!

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Quote:

I REALLY don't like getting pecked! Those 3 to 4 lb Sumatra broody's really hurt!

In all seriousness, I only look at the eggs when mama is off the nest. I know when I'm as grumpy as my broody's I don't want anyone touching me!

I have taken to sitting quietly in the coop and staring at her, and listening to the peeps and trying to guess how many there are.
It is so hard not to be able to watch, but I understand it is a delicate business and I have no place in it, really!

 

[stonykill]

Rachel'sFlock :

Quote:

I REALLY don't like getting pecked! Those 3 to 4 lb Sumatra broody's really hurt!

In all seriousness, I only look at the eggs when mama is off the nest. I know when I'm as grumpy as my broody's I don't want anyone touching me!

I have taken to sitting quietly in the coop and staring at her, and listening to the peeps and trying to guess how many there are.
It is so hard not to be able to watch, but I understand it is a delicate business and I have no place in it, really!​

I peek in at the mama's as they are hatching, but I never know how many she has until she leaves the nest. Yes I'm that patient! I wait out the 36 hours. But when you have 14 broody's a year you learn to be patient...

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Quote:
Stony, What signals the beginning of the 36 hours? The first chick hatching?

 

[Jloeffler]

Rachel, I hope everything is going well! It sounds like you have found your patience and grasped it with both hands! Way to go!! fingers crossed on top of prayers sent your way, just in case

Stony, you have the patience usually reserved for saints!!

Well, it's official! My second broody for the year! The JB (Japanese Bantam) is broody and sitting on one of her eggs. It's the only pure one I've got as my DH kept sticking them in the fridge even though she had been showing signs of getting ready to set. It's her first time and I'm willing to go ahead and let her try to hatch it. She was sitting on a Cochin egg which I swapped out with an egg she laid yesterday and I collected. Any chance the ones I have in the fridge could still be viable?

 

[heatherkh]

Rachel! I was away from the computer all day and the first thing I did when I got home was check this thread for your update!! Congratulations - I can't wait to see pics of the brood!! You did GREAT!

Hillbilly, your new wee bitties are adorable!!

 

[heatherkh]

Quote:
Funnily enough they're discussing this in another thread in this topic (for all I know you've already seen it!). Looks like it has been done with some success.

 

[dkcrumly]

Quote:
I have heard of many people hatching Trader Jo fertile eggs, so yes it is possible!

kristen

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I have taken to sitting quietly in the coop and staring at her, and listening to the peeps and trying to guess how many there are.
It is so hard not to be able to watch, but I understand it is a delicate business and I have no place in it, really!

I peek in at the mama's as they are hatching, but I never know how many she has until she leaves the nest. Yes I'm that patient! I wait out the 36 hours. But when you have 14 broody's a year you learn to be patient...

What is needed is a Broody cam..... a little led camera imbedded in a dummy egg..... Hee hee.... complete with spot light and sensitive microphone..... well um er maybe just the microphone.... to listen for peeps. OK OK I will go back in my hole now