Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[4chickychoos]

I think Ive found the right place to ask these questions : I am getting fertilized eggs this April from a private chicken farmer - not a hatchery- for my one broody Orb. We connected thru a reference from Penn State Ag 4H. So, question 1- will I be subjecting my girls and broody to illnesses from these eggs?? And 2- once the chicks hatch should I vaccinate for Merck's, etc??. I read different takes on the vaccination subject and would like to hear some more experienced opinions. My 3 girls are going to be 3years old this spring. They have done well. I had 4 until a hawk took one. Thank you

 

[Miss Lydia]

We've got five hatched with two more pipped and one making an awful lot of noise - expecting a pip soon from that one!!

 

[stonykill]

We've got five hatched with two more pipped and one making an awful lot of noise - expecting a pip soon from that one!!

 

[stonykill]

well broody # 2 was off the nest most of the day. She is a young girl. most likely born late last summer. I can't tell one black Sumatra hen from the other, cept for size. She is smaller, so she is young. Other girls laid on her golfballs. i think that scared her off the nest. I'll see if she returns there tomorrow. So for now, just 1 broody so far this year.

My little shop girl is STILL sitting. I feed and water her A LOT. I figure in a few short weeks TC will have chicks, and I'll just get her some. She has worked so hard, with nothing to show. Broody since nov 30th, and won't stop!

 

[Miss Lydia]

well broody # 2 was off the nest most of the day. She is a young girl. most likely born late last summer. I can't tell one black Sumatra hen from the other, cept for size. She is smaller, so she is young. Other girls laid on her golfballs. i think that scared her off the nest. I'll see if she returns there tomorrow. So for now, just 1 broody so far this year.

My little shop girl is STILL sitting. I feed and water her A LOT. I figure in a few short weeks TC will have chicks, and I'll just get her some. She has worked so hard, with nothing to show. Broody since nov 30th, and won't stop!

Poor girl I know she will appreciate some chicks for all her effort. what breed are you going to get?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think Ive found the right place to ask these questions : I am getting fertilized eggs this April from a private chicken farmer - not a hatchery- for my one broody Orb. We connected thru a reference from Penn State Ag 4H. So, question 1- will I be subjecting my girls and broody to illnesses from these eggs?? And 2- once the chicks hatch should I vaccinate for Merck's, etc??. I read different takes on the vaccination subject and would like to hear some more experienced opinions. My 3 girls are going to be 3years old this spring. They have done well. I had 4 until a hawk took one. Thank you

People do this all the time and I haven't heard of an illness from it. as far as vacinations go, that is your call. I don't vacinate and don't even feed medicated starter since my chicks are raised by mama hen and start out on the ground. Hopefully someone else will weigh in on this.

 

[stonykill]

Poor girl I know she will appreciate some chicks for all her effort. what breed are you going to get?

well I'm torn. Size wise bantams would be best. But they are straight run. So I run the real risk of roo's, and I really want to keep my free range flock all sumatra roo's. So I'm thinking, if they have them, barred rock chicks look just about exactly like Sumatra chicks. They will be bigger than her fast, but...

 

[perchie.girl]

I think Ive found the right place to ask these questions : I am getting fertilized eggs this April from a private chicken farmer - not a hatchery- for my one broody Orb. We connected thru a reference from Penn State Ag 4H. So, question 1- will I be subjecting my girls and broody to illnesses from these eggs?? And 2- once the chicks hatch should I vaccinate for Merck's, etc??. I read different takes on the vaccination subject and would like to hear some more experienced opinions. My 3 girls are going to be 3years old this spring. They have done well. I had 4 until a hawk took one. Thank you

I understand that vaccination for Meriks only keeps the birds from getting symptoms of the disease. They still can get it and can pass it on to others. just some food for thought.

deb

 

[BarnGoddess01]

I think Ive found the right place to ask these questions : I am getting fertilized eggs this April from a private chicken farmer - not a hatchery- for my one broody Orb. We connected thru a reference from Penn State Ag 4H. So, question 1- will I be subjecting my girls and broody to illnesses from these eggs?? And 2- once the chicks hatch should I vaccinate for Merck's, etc??. I read different takes on the vaccination subject and would like to hear some more experienced opinions. My 3 girls are going to be 3years old this spring. They have done well. I had 4 until a hawk took one. Thank you

VERY low chance of issues with eggs. I'm another one that doesn't vaccinate. My birds free-range. I do start with medicated feed but I probably don't even need to do that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

well I'm torn. Size wise bantams would be best. But they are straight run. So I run the real risk of roo's, and I really want to keep my free range flock all sumatra roo's. So I'm thinking, if they have them, barred rock chicks look just about exactly like Sumatra chicks. They will be bigger than her fast, but...

Some of my chicks were bigger than their mamas before she gave them the boot, it's so funny to see her try to cover them when they are bigger than she is. Good choice!