Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[CheekyMare]

Quote:
They don't start to develop till she sits for real anyway so you have an excellent chance she will hatch some. Hopefully all. Keep us updated on how it's going. Way to go Chocolate....

One of my hens has decided to go broody in an empty stall on top of some eggs that were abandoned about three weeks ago by another not very broody hen. She laid about three eggs there first before sitting. I have a 'bator hatch coming up on Tuesday. I'm thinking I'm going to take her eggs and slip some chicks under her if she'll accept. What's the most I could expect her to take on? I know she can't count, but could I supplement with a heat lamp? I don't know how many will hatch, but I've got at least 30 viable eggs.

 

[CluckyJay]

Chocolate is so small that even though her eggs are little, she has a real load under her, LOL. I hope she actually decides to keep sitting. I put her in her own small, sheltered pen.

If she hatches them there is a reallly good chance the babies are from the sebright roo. I saw the leghorn get her once but, she has been penned for so long with that sebright I think the only sperm she has is his.

I can't wait to see what her babies would look like.

Here Chocolate is as a wee baby.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
They don't start to develop till she sits for real anyway so you have an excellent chance she will hatch some. Hopefully all. Keep us updated on how it's going. Way to go Chocolate....

One of my hens has decided to go broody in an empty stall on top of some eggs that were abandoned about three weeks ago by another not very broody hen. She laid about three eggs there first before sitting. I have a 'bator hatch coming up on Tuesday. I'm thinking I'm going to take her eggs and slip some chicks under her if she'll accept. What's the most I could expect her to take on? I know she can't count, but could I supplement with a heat lamp? I don't know how many will hatch, but I've got at least 30 viable eggs.

depends on her size, if she's large fowl then maybe 8-10 small fowl or med. 5-7, I am being moderate too. if she is first time mom you don't want to over whelm her with too many. and if it's cold there you want to be sure she can cover them all and keep them warm. Heat lamp not needed and could even make them weak and puny. mom has all the warmth they will need. Good luck and let us know how it goes. She can even take them out on cold days because she carries the heating blanket on her body and will call them to her when she thinks they need to warm up.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Chocolate is very pretty, what breed is she? my tiny bantams make the best mommies, I love them to pieces.

 

[CluckyJay]

Thanks!

She is a bantam rhode island red. She is a real sweety too. Always wants to cuddle and get all the attention. lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Bet she'll be a wonderful mama.

 

[CheekyMare]

Quote:
It's the tropics so pretty warm. The coldest it's gotten so far(it's cold season) is 72°F although it can get into the low 50's if a serious cold front moves down. She's a smallish hen(about 2x the size of a bantam) and the stall is 12' x 10' which is why I was wondering about a voluntary supplement heat lamp. Although sawdust is a wonderful insulator I know.

Daytime temps are up in the 80s right now so cool enough to be comfortable but warm enough to not need heat if it's sunny.

This is her sitting on the eggs. That's a 50# salt lick holder if that gives you scale... I think it'S about 12" x 12" Maybe a little bigger.

I was curious this morning to see if she was really set and went in to set down water and feed for her. Reached out to touch and boy, she puffed up and started making a horrid screeching noise at me but didn't move an inch. I chose the better part of valor and kept my hands out of pecking range.

I think she is also Nutmeg's mama.

Nutmeg isn't the white one.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
It's the tropics so pretty warm. The coldest it's gotten so far(it's cold season) is 72°F although it can get into the low 50's if a serious cold front moves down. She's a smallish hen(about 2x the size of a bantam) and the stall is 12' x 10' which is why I was wondering about a voluntary supplement heat lamp. Although sawdust is a wonderful insulator I know.

Daytime temps are up in the 80s right now so cool enough to be comfortable but warm enough to not need heat if it's sunny.

This is her sitting on the eggs. That's a 50# salt lick holder if that gives you scale... I think it'S about 12" x 12" Maybe a little bigger.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphoto...7328207595_689087594_8767653_1137350798_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphoto...7328532595_689087594_8767660_1879434896_n.jpg

I was curious this morning to see if she was really set and went in to set down water and feed for her. Reached out to touch and boy, she puffed up and started making a horrid screeching noise at me but didn't move an inch. I chose the better part of valor and kept my hands out of pecking range.

I think she is also Nutmeg's mama.

Nutmeg isn't the white one.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...7370352595_689087594_8767868_1281716037_n.jpg

Your temps are perfect and shouldn't need any heat other than her, she is pretty and seems very content, let us know how it all turns out. Sure sounds like she is serious.

 

[CheekyMare]

Thanks! I'll be sure to update. Hatch day is Tuesday/Wed. Can't believe it's here already.

 

[zibby]

One of my silkies has gone seriously broody. I wasn't expecting it so soon. I am very excited. I have ordered 6 polish eggs which should be arriving Monday. I planned to move her to her own area tomorrow. Here is my question. For the last few days she has been gathering the 2 other hens' eggs into her nest. I have removed them and stored them. I thought I might put them back under her with the other eggs if there is room or, one of the other hens looks like she may be going broody too. But, I have come home late each day and by the time I have taken the egg away, she has been sitting on it all day and it is all warm and toasty. Now that I have taken it away, will it still be good to put back under in a couple of days?

Zibby