Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Tripp16]

I had read that if the eggs are bad the broody will kick them out of the nest, however that was not my experience with my 1st time broody. She sat on them without stopping. I would gently candle them on day 7 to see if good and on day 14 to see if on target since its still winter and cold in most places.

Ok thanks! Ill probably gently candle them this evening if it isnt too cold. To be honest the first week of her sitting on them was almost perfect! 75 to 80 degrees for 3 days straight. Now its cold again and even sometimes rainy.... Im hoping today will be better though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had to break a broody tonight. Well, I didn't intentionally. I tried to move her. She was in a known nest under a wild rose bush, that I forgot to check for a few days. This afternoon I saw a black Sumatra hen, looking like they look the day they are going to start sitting. At 5 she wasn't on the nest. When I locked up everyone at 6, I went to collect the eggs, and she was on it. My wife held a flashlight while I tried to move her. She FREAKED out and ran to the Sumatra spruce. Screaming her fool head off the entire way. I even had a dog crate ready. Broke my heart. The eggs are in the house. Poor girl.......

Aww thats too bad, why oh why do they want to nest in places where it's not safe? crazy girls. I'm sure you'll have another real soon though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok thanks! Ill probably gently candle them this evening if it isnt too cold. To be honest the first week of her sitting on them was almost perfect! 75 to 80 degrees for 3 days straight. Now its cold again and even sometimes rainy.... Im hoping today will be better though.

I won't candle but I know all 3 of the eggs are fertil, my lil roo makes sure he keeps up with his lil girls.

Now if I just had a big roo for my big girls.

Windy, cold, and snowy today Brr.

 

[stonykill]

Aww thats too bad, why oh why do they want to nest in places where it's not safe? crazy girls. I'm sure you'll have another real soon though.

she was still in broody mode this am. So I trimmed around her nest, so I can reach in there easier. then I piut 3 eggs in there as a tease. If she is in there again tonight, it is clearer for me to reach her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

she was still in broody mode this am. So I trimmed around her nest, so I can reach in there easier. then I piut 3 eggs in there as a tease. If she is in there again tonight, it is clearer for me to reach her.

I hope it works. Been waiting for you to have your first broody, you'll not be too far behind, scarlett and me. !!! That way we can keep pics coming, if BYC will let me upload mine, I really don't care much for some of the new things they have on this format.

 

[Niss]

MissL--The LF eggs don't look fertile when you go to eat them? Oh, and the duck I named in your honor is acting wierd...spending lots of time in the yard by herself, near the coop but still up and about, just not off swimming with the rest of them--might she be thinking of setting? I just worry because the ducks are all very aprehencive of me and easily freaked out--even the pekins, who use to do anything for food

.

Scarlett--I didn't see any real responce to your plans for dealing with LF chicks outgrowing mom. It sounds like you have a good set up. I am hoping to give my Laura Australorps or Sussex chicks, but tsc has a 6 chick minimum--will they fit? I know they will at first, but will they outgrow her before they become minimally dependent on her heat? I am leaving them in the coop, and it would be a huge pain (esp if it snows/ices) but not imposable to add heat.

 

[Tripp16]

MissL--The LF eggs don't look fertile when you go to eat them? Oh, and the duck I named in your honor is acting wierd...spending lots of time in the yard by herself, near the coop but still up and about, just not off swimming with the rest of them--might she be thinking of setting? I just worry because the ducks are all very aprehencive of me and easily freaked out--even the pekins, who use to do anything for food

.

Scarlett--I didn't see any real responce to your plans for dealing with LF chicks outgrowing mom. It sounds like you have a good set up. I am hoping to give my Laura Australorps or Sussex chicks, but tsc has a 6 chick minimum--will they fit? I know they will at first, but will they outgrow her before they become minimally dependent on her heat? I am leaving them in the coop, and it would be a huge pain (esp if it snows/ices) but not imposable to add heat.

If your asking me if you should get six LF chicks for a bantam hen then I wouldnt. My girl will barely be able to heat 4 if all of them hatch because they will outgrow her in a week or two! Lol Your choice though. If the hen is a LF then yeah I think a LF could take care of 6.

 

[Miss Lydia]

MissL--The LF eggs don't look fertile when you go to eat them? Oh, and the duck I named in your honor is acting wierd...spending lots of time in the yard by herself, near the coop but still up and about, just not off swimming with the rest of them--might she be thinking of setting? I just worry because the ducks are all very aprehencive of me and easily freaked out--even the pekins, who use to do anything for food

.

Scarlett--I didn't see any real responce to your plans for dealing with LF chicks outgrowing mom. It sounds like you have a good set up. I am hoping to give my Laura Australorps or Sussex chicks, but tsc has a 6 chick minimum--will they fit? I know they will at first, but will they outgrow her before they become minimally dependent on her heat? I am leaving them in the coop, and it would be a huge pain (esp if it snows/ices) but not imposable to add heat.

I forgot to say this year when we stopped by TSC I didn't see a sign that said miminum 6. they actually had their bantams priced individually.


Nope no fertile eggs on my big girls, I think they tried at first but have given up even trying, and since I already have 2 roos I have to wait for a big guy. I don't think I would put 6 LF under your silkie, if it was warmer maybe, last year my frizzle cochin bantman hatched only 3 chicks and by the time they were 4 weeks old they were bigger than her because she is so tiny, but she tried so hard to cover them , lol she still had them with her at 12 weeks and boy was that a site. As for your duck, sounds like she maybe thinking about it, is she laying consistant?Does she have a quiet place where she can sit if she wants?

 

[Miss Lydia]

EE's right? couldn't take them out of the brooder because of this..

 

[bobbieschicks]

Adorable

EE's right? couldn't take them out of the brooder because of this..