Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Glasshen]

Maybe she needs it to be secured so it won't tip over if she perches on the edge. I put a cardboard box in a crate where I was isolating a mean pair of girls, and before it was secured, one tipped it over, then she was afraid of it, and would only lay her eggs on the crate floor in the shavings.

She is very cute!

 

[bobbieschicks]

You could zip tie it to the crate using really log zip ties & poking holes with a screwdriver or pencil. Or you could also tie it down with twine. Another thing would be to get a bigger box and lay it on its side to make a cubby for her - but you may still run the risk of her knocking it off it its not secured to the wire below.

 

[StarLover21]

Oh they're SO cute, bobbieschicks! Congradulations on the babies!!! Aren't welsummers sexable at hatch? If not, they're sexable as soon as they feather in, I think.

 

[StarLover21]

Okay, I just looked it up, and they are! Maybe you should try this on your two Wellies: http://welsummers.blogspot.com/p/chicks.html

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hey, thanks for the link - so far they look like roosters to me. Hopefully I'm wrong. Smokey is happy and that is what matters. She so wanted to hatch out some chicks. She is such a good little momma. I am looking forward to the big roosters leaving so she can enjoy her babies outside in the run.

Okay, I just looked it up, and they are! Maybe you should try this on your two Wellies: http://welsummers.blogspot.com/p/chicks.html

 

[silkymom1986]

Hi everyone!! Gotta question, I have a silkie that went broody 2 days ago, if I want to put some different eggs under her to hatch, when is the best time or what is the best way to sneak them in there? Reason I ask is last time she did was the first time and I just put them in with her while she was awake thinking she would take them, but then she stopped sitting on them all together. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hi everyone!! Gotta question, I have a silkie that went broody 2 days ago, if I want to put some different eggs under her to hatch, when is the best time or what is the best way to sneak them in there? Reason I ask is last time she did was the first time and I just put them in with her while she was awake thinking she would take them, but then she stopped sitting on them all together. Any help is greatly appreciated!

I pulled Smokeys eggs when they didn't hatch on Day 23. There was no activity so I replaced them with some I had in the bator. I did the switch on day 14 for the bator eggs. I simply picked her up, put her by the waterer, picked up the old eggs, put down the 8 new ones and put her back in the nest area. She quickly sat back down and eventually hatched some of the eggs. I don't know if that's the best way, but that's what worked for me.

 

[Tripp16]

Hi everyone! Well my Broody hen Gracie is on day 6, for the first 3 days she got up for about 10-15 minutes everyday. I would usually come out and she was down or when I would go out she would fly down and collect treats.

Well now I have not seen her off of the nest at all. She may be getting off when Im not seeing but Im not sure. She has food outside the nest but when she got down the last few times she eats the food on the ground. Could she be getting up and eating the food outside the nest without me knowing?

I dont whether I should pick her up and set her down to eat or just let her be. What do you guys think?? Thanks!

 

[bobbieschicks]

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Yes, she's probably eating when you aren't around. She won't starve, she'll get down to eat when she is hungry. I was worried about my Smokey and then I smoothed out the food in her dish and put it near her and noticed each day it looked like someone had moved the food around, so I knew she was eating.

 

[Tripp16]

Thanks! Exactly what I needed to know!

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