Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

After I got back from the Y I went to check on Smokey and her babies - found another Welsummer had hatched - so she's up to 2 Welsummers and 1 Ameraucana! YEAH!

I couldn't get a good pic - trying to hold a flashlight, my iphone and keep feathers out of the way wasn't working so good. I'll check on her again later and keep trying for better pics.

I'm so excited for you, and congrats again!!! broody are the best, I have never owned a bator and most likely never will I live Mother natures way of hatching.

 

[bobbieschicks]

It's very disappointing to see the 8 eggs sitting in the bator unhatched - I will give them until Thursday and then pull the plug on it. Knowing that a few of them moved and chirped and that they probably died because of something I did or didn't do is equally disheartening.

But God knows how many chicks Smokey can handle and maybe this happened so she wouldn't get overwhelmed. She looks so happy with her babies under her. She even let me lift up her wings to peek and that's not something she would normally allow. Can't wait to see her in the yard with them wandering around. Today is a cold (50F) and rainy day - so I will be keeping them locked in their little room with food & water.

How soon will she abandon the unhatched ones? Or do I need to remove them? Should I give her until Thursday or is today the last day? The 1st baby was hatched overnight on Monday. The other two hatched overnight Tuesday. I don't want her to jeopardize those three for the other 5 that will probably not hatch.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's very disappointing to see the 8 eggs sitting in the bator unhatched - I will give them until Thursday and then pull the plug on it. Knowing that a few of them moved and chirped and that they probably died because of something I did or didn't do is equally disheartening.

But God knows how many chicks Smokey can handle and maybe this happened so she wouldn't get overwhelmed. She looks so happy with her babies under her. She even let me lift up her wings to peek and that's not something she would normally allow. Can't wait to see her in the yard with them wandering around. Today is a cold (50F) and rainy day - so I will be keeping them locked in their little room with food & water.

How soon will she abandon the unhatched ones? Or do I need to remove them? Should I give her until Thursday or is today the last day? The 1st baby was hatched overnight on Monday. The other two hatched overnight Tuesday. I don't want her to jeopardize those three for the other 5 that will probably not hatch.

She'll know if the others aren't going to hatch, and will take the chicks out. she may even push them out of the way, some of mine have done that. So sorry about the chicks in the bator, but you can be happy and relieved about the ones u nder Smokey. If you have feed and water close by she'll make sure they eat and drink when time comes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My friend has a little hen that just started laying, and she is already broody.

She is half black sex link, and half barred rock.

I saw her the other day, and sure enough she is sitting tight on those eggs, the other day, and today.

I of course didn't read through the whole thread, but I was wondering if you guys could tell me the

Do's and Dont's of dealing with a broody hen. I don't want her disturbed in any way, that she may get off of the eggs, and let the little embryos die because of human error

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.htmlWell Congrats on a broody!! they are wonderful. heres a link that will help....

 

[aoxa]

I'm down to 8 eggs out of 10 set under Janet. Someone got in her dog crate and an egg was broken. She had yolk all over her, so I had to wipe off all the eggs and during the process my friend broke one, so that's that. Now I have her where the others can't get in her nest.

Is it okay if her underside is all gunky? Normally I would give her a bath, but that's not possible :/

 

[BarnGoddess01]

speaking of, does wazine or duramycin cause birth defects?

I've been told not to hatch or eat eggs when birds are being dewormed or treated with antibiotics.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

I'm down to 8 eggs out of 10 set under Janet. Someone got in her dog crate and an egg was broken. She had yolk all over her, so I had to wipe off all the eggs and during the process my friend broke one, so that's that. Now I have her where the others can't get in her nest.

Is it okay if her underside is all gunky? Normally I would give her a bath, but that's not possible

Hopefully, not TOO gunky. My girl was a bit of a mess at times but we made it through in the end without interference from me.

Sorry to hear about the broken ones. Good luck with the rest!

 

[aoxa]

Hopefully, not TOO gunky. My girl was a bit of a mess at times but we made it through in the end without interference from me.

Sorry to hear about the broken ones. Good luck with the rest!

I'll check her again when I get home. I cleaned her nest and the eggs, so I hope that is the last time any break.

 

[bobbieschicks]

It is damp, pouring down rain and 45F, so I decided to turn on the heat lamp. I have it about 30" away angled towards Smokey and her nest. The thermometer reads 47F right now. I will check her again after lunch. What temp do you think I should keep it dialed to? I have a dimmer on the 200watt red heat light.

She looks like she's still trying to hatch more eggs as she is rotating them under her breast. I didn't see the babies this time as I didn't want to keep bothering her. But she has them under her, I can tell by her moving feathers and clucks

This is so exciting! I'm disappointed I messed up the bator eggs, but I'm very excited for Smokey. All the chickens are huddled under that side of the coop listening in on the new arrivals.

 

[Tripp16]

It is damp, pouring down rain and 45F, so I decided to turn on the heat lamp. I have it about 30" away angled towards Smokey and her nest. The thermometer reads 47F right now. I will check her again after lunch. What temp do you think I should keep it dialed to? I have a dimmer on the 200watt red heat light.
She looks like she's still trying to hatch more eggs as she is rotating them under her breast. I didn't see the babies this time as I didn't want to keep bothering her. But she has them under her, I can tell by her moving feathers and clucks

This is so exciting! I'm disappointed I messed up the bator eggs, but I'm very excited for Smokey. All the chickens are huddled under that side of the coop listening in on the new arrivals.

It sounds so exciting! I sure hope Gracie can hatch some! Its not pouring down rain here but last night it rained pretty hard its just really damp and the humididity is about 50 with the temp. being 50F

Will she handle all the humidity/ heat issues? Because when I hatch with the bator I know I dry hatch but its definetely not dry out. Did your spokey take care of everything?