Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

We had a rather harrowing few minutes this morning. I kicked everyone out. I moved the brooder babies into the other side of the coop and moved Smokey & the babies over to the big coop & put in the blue shelter for her - but she didn't hang out in it. She was walking around with the babies in the coop. Then Francis, LO roo came into the coop doorway & they went at it. I don't know if Smokey attacked him first or vice versa. Scared me to death. Then Foghorn came in and attacked Francis - kicked him to the curb! (May be rethinking getting rid of Foghorn?). As soon as Francis was gone everyone settled down - he tried it two more times and both times they went at it. The others came in to check out the changes and everyone seemed fine. AC was just standing there near Smokey when all of a sudden the two of them went at it! I got so scared for Smokey. But soon AC rushed out of the coop all ruffled and things settled back down. I believe that Smokey was 2nd and AC was 3rd down of the pullets in the hierachy before Smokey went broody.

I just went back out to check a little bit ago and Smokey & the babies are the only ones in the big coop. They are together in the blue shelter I provided for her. I turned it around so that the bottom is facing where the chickens are standing in the 2nd pic to give her more security. I hope things will continue to go smoother then this morning. I'll keep checking back on her & the babies and just trust her to do her job.

 
Sumatra's are not mentioned. Broody VERY frequently. Good mothers and get along with the rest of the flock while brooding.

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I'd like to know where that list came from. Marans are not "very frequent" brooders. Kind of odd terminology as well.
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(And my Marans were WELL beyond 25 weeks before mating - well past 30 weeks before laying.)
 
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Things are calming down out there - and I think Smokey is letting the others go in to roost tonight. LOL! She has been running everyone out all day. She came out once to dust bathe and got attacked by just about everyone - I guess they were sick of her attacking them just for jumping up into the coop. If you even look sideways at her she's attacking.

The other two chicks are settling down in Smokey's old area. They are just 4.5 weeks old - but I have decided to try them out there tonight without adding heat. They've been inside the house and the heat lamp has slowly been diminished to just 70F. And they were without it for a few nights. It's about 70F right now inside the coop. Tonight's weather is mid to upper 50Fs - weird, I know. What do you think? Will they be fine or should I turn the lamp on very low? It will be over them and under the rest of the flock.
 
My Silkie is still going strong on her new eggs!

She has 6 under there now I think... she wasnt too happy with me when I tried to lift her up to see how many were under there. I added two new ones today as our farmer friend left me two eggs in an egg carton at my door today. What a nice present to come home too... BABIES! I hope they do well too. I am going to put the serama egg under the silkie on friday as they hatch at 19 days (or atleast this birds eggs do). I will try to get some pictures of her tonight.

I am debating on bringing her serama friend in every once in a while. It was just so cute to see her have a broody buddy.
 
Hi! I hope this is thre right place to post this. If not, please direct me to the right place
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I hached about 21 chicks in my incubto. I sold 7 of them within a day. I had a broody hen who seemed desparate to be a mom, so I gave the day old chicks to her. She WAS in a nice quiet covered cage with food and watwer. The cage is in the coop wit te other chickens. All went well for about 2 dyas. Today, i came home from work, and she had moved them all out of the cage, and in to a different corner.--no cage, no real protection from the other birds. Should I try to get her back in the cage? Tey all seem happy and calm--I don't want to stir them up if everything is good. What do you suggest/
thanks, Pat
 
Hi! I hope this is thre right place to post this. If not, please direct me to the right place
smile.png
I hached about 21 chicks in my incubto. I sold 7 of them within a day. I had a broody hen who seemed desparate to be a mom, so I gave the day old chicks to her. She WAS in a nice quiet covered cage with food and watwer. The cage is in the coop wit te other chickens. All went well for about 2 dyas. Today, i came home from work, and she had moved them all out of the cage, and in to a different corner.--no cage, no real protection from the other birds. Should I try to get her back in the cage? Tey all seem happy and calm--I don't want to stir them up if everything is good. What do you suggest/
thanks, Pat
I would let her move them where she feels safest. But provide her a box or something she can go into with the babies if there's a problem.
 
Hi! I hope this is thre right place to post this. If not, please direct me to the right place
smile.png
I hached about 21 chicks in my incubto. I sold 7 of them within a day. I had a broody hen who seemed desparate to be a mom, so I gave the day old chicks to her. She WAS in a nice quiet covered cage with food and watwer. The cage is in the coop wit te other chickens. All went well for about 2 dyas. Today, i came home from work, and she had moved them all out of the cage, and in to a different corner.--no cage, no real protection from the other birds. Should I try to get her back in the cage? Tey all seem happy and calm--I don't want to stir them up if everything is good. What do you suggest/
thanks, Pat

My hen did the same thing last year and everyone left her alone. They should be fine, Mamas are fierce when it comes to their chicks. and congrats !!
 
I just found out that my baby (6 month old) rooster Nugget died last night too. I am hoping that these babies go without a hitch. I just dont think I could take anymore heart break.
 

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