Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

Quote:
the funny part is, I think the boys think they had something to do with it all

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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the funny part is, I think the boys think they had something to do with it all

My boys are always so busy trying to keep the peace with the girls. I think they sort of give up when the girls form a choir .... no choice. Just join in and hope for the best!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
the funny part is, I think the boys think they had something to do with it all

Well in a way they did, i have seen my roos many times in the nest boxes with the pullets when they are just coming into lay, so i guess they do have something to sing about. That is so sweet too.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
the funny part is, I think the boys think they had something to do with it all

Well in a way they did, i have seen my roos many times in the nest boxes with the pullets when they are just coming into lay, so i guess they do have something to sing about. That is so sweet too.

Speaking of coming into lay ... my mom has convinced me to plan a small Christmas day hatch for the family so I'll be setting more eggs (Easter Eggers and Olive Eggers) in the 'bator on the weekend.

(Got some FABULOUS dark Marans pullets eggs just screaming to be tested

)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Well in a way they did, i have seen my roos many times in the nest boxes with the pullets when they are just coming into lay, so i guess they do have something to sing about. That is so sweet too.

Speaking of coming into lay ... my mom has convinced me to plan a small Christmas day hatch for the family so I'll be setting more eggs (Easter Eggers and Olive Eggers) in the 'bator on the weekend.

(Got some FABULOUS dark Marans pullets eggs just screaming to be tested

)

can't wait to see babies

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
the funny part is, I think the boys think they had something to do with it all

Well in a way they did, i have seen my roos many times in the nest boxes with the pullets when they are just coming into lay, so i guess they do have something to sing about. That is so sweet too.

that is cute. My boys do that with the older girls as well. Poor Sammy, spends half of the morning nest sitting for his pretty girls

 

[artsyrobin]

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do you have the food close enought that she doesn't have to go far, Sometimes all i could get one of my broodys to eat was mealworms but that was better than nothing. might try scrambled eggs or yogurt or both too.

well, the food is right next to her, tonight i gave her some mealies, some scratch, and crumbles- finally wetted it down a little and she started eating... she gets so zoned into hatching- food isn't on the radar....

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
do you have the food close enought that she doesn't have to go far, Sometimes all i could get one of my broodys to eat was mealworms but that was better than nothing. might try scrambled eggs or yogurt or both too.

well, the food is right next to her, tonight i gave her some mealies, some scratch, and crumbles- finally wetted it down a little and she started eating... she gets so zoned into hatching- food isn't on the radar....

most of my broody's didn't get up every day. They would sometimes get up every other, sometimes every 3rd day. Sometimes everyday. One would get off the nest twice a day often. All were successful hatches and healthy moms.

 

[artsyrobin]

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thats what us girls like to do stay busy making our nests...

I know my girls do. You should hear the noise around here when 3 of the born this year Sumatra hens go under the "sumatra Spruce" to lay an egg in the same exact spot. The one in the nest gets yelling, then the other 2 get yelling, then 15 boys start yelling, this gets all the rest of the girls yelling, which gets the female Pekins quacking, then the drakes start in. Total caos. I always go outside to make sure everything is ok, and it is usually just this. A seriously out of control egg song. Meanwhile the RIR's just look around as if to say What???? I'm trying to nap here

that is so like here! the hens get going, then the roos, then the banty flock, and finally the ducks, geese and guineas...it is a riot!

 

[gladangel]

How do you know when a hen is Broody? I have about 10 eggs in a nest and as I was collecting eggs the other day a Barred rock went into the nest. I thought she was going to sit on them but hasn't. I have 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Buff Orpintons, 3 RIR and a Red Sexlink, 2 of my Sex Links have mysteriously disappeared, I was hopeing that they went somewhere to sit on eggs, I cant find them anywhere. 1 Barred Rock Roo. Now I have a nest with plenty of eggs and no hen sitting on it. What should I do?