Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Niss]

sorry about the egg Robin, thank goodness she still has 2 to take care of. and what a bummer about your lap top. why do you need a bator? sounds like you have live bators coming out your ears.

Although, in seriousness that sucks...

Cole-thank you so much for sharing Nugget's photos and story...we'll be waiting for pic of the grandchicks.

Bobbie--give us the good news as soon as you can

Where is Fluffy?

And my question of the day: if I get a broody girl durring chick days can I give a hen a mixed brood to raise? Say 2 ducks and 4 chickens? I know folks have hatched ducklings with hens, has anyone had succes grafting them on? I could raise chicks in my basement if I have to, but I never want to brood ducks myself again!

And while I'm at it, anyone want to reassure me that between the 2 cochins that were broody last fall, my 2 almost year old silkies, and the 2 6mo chicks from my broody, and other 20 or so hens SOMEBODY is bound to start sitting soon?!??

 

[bobbieschicks]

Although, in seriousness that sucks...

Cole-thank you so much for sharing Nugget's photos and story...we'll be waiting for pic of the grandchicks.

Bobbie--give us the good news as soon as you can

Where is Fluffy?

And my question of the day: if I get a broody girl durring chick days can I give a hen a mixed brood to raise? Say 2 ducks and 4 chickens? I know folks have hatched ducklings with hens, has anyone had succes grafting them on? I could raise chicks in my basement if I have to, but I never want to brood ducks myself again!

And while I'm at it, anyone want to reassure me that between the 2 cochins that were broody last fall, my 2 almost year old silkies, and the 2 6mo chicks from my broody, and other 20 or so hens SOMEBODY is bound to start sitting soon?!??

Maybe broody hens are like pots of boiling water? They only go broody when you stop watching for them. Lol

 

[redhen689]

I candled the eggs she's sitting on again this morning before the sun was too bright. There are 6 and only 1 was still questionable as to being good - upon examination today it looked like a quitter. I didn't see any veins and it wasn't moving around. So I think it's a go to replace those eggs with the 16 eggs I have in the incubator. They are due to hatch next Tuesday.

Will moving the eggs under her extend their hatch date or can I count on Tues/Weds still?
How often should I check on the eggs and candle them or should I just leave them alone?

Also - how exactly do I do the transfer?
I was thinking I could do it today when I clean the coop out - move her over to the feed dish and then do the exchange while she's eating & drinking. Would that be okay?

I guess I'm just a little nervous about this since it's my 1st time with a broody - I'm not sure why LOL. I have a feeling that she will do just fine with the exchange. Thanks for all your support

16 eggs might be too many eggs for her to cover. It depends on the size of the hen and the size of the eggs. She should accept them without any problems. Once I gave a plum tomato from my garden to a broody hen as a treat. A day or two later, I found that she had tucked it under her and was attempting to incubate it with her eggs.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I did the switch - she readily accepted the new eggs - but 16 was too many - so I took back 8 of them and got pecked in the process. Those 8 were sticking out - I put them back in the incubator to continue hatching. If they hatch I will try putting those babies out there with her to raise with the others. Will it matter if they are a day or so apart?

 

[stonykill]

pretty mama! Good luck! My experience has been pretty good adding chicks to a broody who just hatched little ones. They litterally accept them with open wings.

I did the switch - she readily accepted the new eggs - but 16 was too many - so I took back 8 of them and got pecked in the process. Those 8 were sticking out - I put them back in the incubator to continue hatching. If they hatch I will try putting those babies out there with her to raise with the others. Will it matter if they are a day or so apart?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I did the switch - she readily accepted the new eggs - but 16 was too many - so I took back 8 of them and got pecked in the process. Those 8 were sticking out - I put them back in the incubator to continue hatching. If they hatch I will try putting those babies out there with her to raise with the others. Will it matter if they are a day or so apart?

The only problem she may not be able to keep them all warm, so you'll just have to give it a try and be ready to step in if she can't. And good work on already putting the eggs out.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe broody hens are like pots of boiling water? They only go broody when you stop watching for them. Lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Although, in seriousness that sucks...

Cole-thank you so much for sharing Nugget's photos and story...we'll be waiting for pic of the grandchicks.

Bobbie--give us the good news as soon as you can

Where is Fluffy?

And my question of the day: if I get a broody girl durring chick days can I give a hen a mixed brood to raise? Say 2 ducks and 4 chickens? I know folks have hatched ducklings with hens, has anyone had succes grafting them on? I could raise chicks in my basement if I have to, but I never want to brood ducks myself again!

And while I'm at it, anyone want to reassure me that between the 2 cochins that were broody last fall, my 2 almost year old silkies, and the 2 6mo chicks from my broody, and other 20 or so hens SOMEBODY is bound to start sitting soon?!??

So far none of mine are acting broody, Niss all it will take is one to start then they'll all join in. crazy things. and as far as a broody accepting chicks and ducklings if you have one going broody she probably will take them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

16 eggs might be too many eggs for her to cover. It depends on the size of the hen and the size of the eggs. She should accept them without any problems. Once I gave a plum tomato from my garden to a broody hen as a treat. A day or two later, I found that she had tucked it under her and was attempting to incubate it with her eggs.

that is hilarious.

 

[ChobeeChickenMommy]

So glad that I found this thread!! I have a Japanese Bantam Cross on 4 silkie/EE mix eggs, & a silkie sitting on 4 of her & her sisters eggs!! I can't wait to see if any of them hatch!! Now time to get reading this thread to try & learn some new tricks! Thank you all in advance for your knowledge!!