Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:

Congrats to you all!! no need for an incubator, mom will keep chicks toasty warm and she can eat chick starter, sorry about pics have you been here?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1198

 

[upcdayz]

Quote:
well don't be too concerned, day 23 is yet to be.

Today is day 21. I just checked but still no pipping yet. Yesterday I candled and saw that only two are viable and those two had big air sacs. Only saw one chick moving, but I didn't keep the eggs out for very long. Day 23? My nerves will be frazzled if they don't hatch before then.

Blarneyeggs - love the name your children gave the hen, 9/10! That is too cute!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Thanks upcdayz! And hang in there! I really was surfing the egg sales having given up hope and then.... A hole, and some peeping. Now of course, we want the others to hatch.... Waaaaah! And have figured out that my picture problems most likely stem from the fact that I am a new member. The sweet little peep came out from momma today a few times, and I did manage one good pic... Can't wait to be able to post.

 

[Niss]

Quote:
niether can we

 

[Fuffy]

Quote:
niether can we

Ditto

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
niether can we

Ditto

3....

 

[BarnGoddess01]

11 weeks old today and my two broody raised boys decide to FIGHT - big time. They kept at it so long and so hard that my head roo (Blue Copper Marans) actually had to break it up.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Wow BG I hope they didn't get too beat up, I just gave another BYCer some of my hens and roos, they are just starting out and I needed to down size a smidge. Never had a problem with the roos fighting here, but the afternoon he got them home 2 got into a fight and he had to put one down it was so torn up. I am thinking the stress of the move maybe? I hope they will be okay and yippie for head roo.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Wow BG I hope they didn't get too beat up, I just gave another BYCer some of my hens and roos, they are just starting out and I needed to down size a smidge. Never had a problem with the roos fighting here, but the afternoon he got them home 2 got into a fight and he had to put one down it was so torn up. I am thinking the stress of the move maybe? I hope they will be okay and yippie for head roo.

It was really quite absurd! All of us "adults" were really quite surprised by their nonsense (broody mama, me, the roos.) Seemed to mostly be a head holding/kick boxing game with lots of screaming. I was impressed by how gentle my main roo attempted to be whilst busting up the fight! (I normally wouldn't let the full size boys have a go at the kids but these two DEFINITELY deserved it!) He seemed quite perturbed by the whole event. No blood drawn. Just WAY too much drama.

(Reality is, the fighters are destined for the oven. I just didn't count on this much testosterone at 11 weeks!)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Wow BG I hope they didn't get too beat up, I just gave another BYCer some of my hens and roos, they are just starting out and I needed to down size a smidge. Never had a problem with the roos fighting here, but the afternoon he got them home 2 got into a fight and he had to put one down it was so torn up. I am thinking the stress of the move maybe? I hope they will be okay and yippie for head roo.

It was really quite absurd! All of us "adults" were really quite surprised by their nonsense (broody mama, me, the roos.) Seemed to mostly be a head holding/kick boxing game with lots of screaming. I was impressed by how gentle my main roo attempted to be whilst busting up the fight! (I normally wouldn't let the full size boys have a go at the kids but these two DEFINITELY deserved it!) He seemed quite perturbed by the whole event. No blood drawn. Just WAY too much drama.

(Reality is, the fighters are destined for the oven. I just didn't count on this much testosterone at 11 weeks!)

yep 11 weeks seems a mite early. theres always a bully in the crowd though. My goose is the one who usually breaks up any squabbles around here, he won't tolerate comotion in the yard at all.