Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Peach2u]

My broody hatch went well. We are on 2 weeks now. She had 14 but she started pecking and running off 2 of them. I was standing out side watching them and when she chased them off they ran to me and stood by my feet. So I picked them up and put them in with the incubator babies. Maybe that was her way of saying hello! I only need 12. She takes them all over the yard. but never in the middle. She keeps to the edge of the woods.

Everyone taking a dust bath.Buffy the BO mama and Gretchen the EE the real mom of some.

 

[Miss Lydia]

UPDATE: This is day 21 for one of the eggs-- the one that looks kind of funny. Not expecting anything. Also day 19/20 for the other egg, which when I candled last, looked great.

Problem is, the broody is getting restless. She laid an egg yesterday and went out and about in the run today. After a couple of minutes I put her back on the eggs and she is once again protectively growling if I get near.

Should I keep her in there just a couple ore days? Or take the eggs and incubate?

I have never had a broody lay an egg after she has seriously gone broody. so can't help you there. but if you think the eggs have any kind of chance I'd give them a few more days. up to you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My broody hatch went well. We are on 2 weeks now. She had 14 but she started pecking and running off 2 of them. I was standing out side watching them and when she chased them off they ran to me and stood by my feet. So I picked them up and put them in with the incubator babies. Maybe that was her way of saying hello! I only need 12. She takes them all over the yard. but never in the middle. She keeps to the edge of the woods.

Everyone taking a dust bath.Buffy the BO mama and Gretchen the EE the real mom of some.

Cute pic, and I don't blame her 14 is alot of kids to take care of, 12 is alot too. LOL

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well I have another batch of eggs ready for lockdown tonight...I actually have a batch every week this month. I found that my Cochin has gone broody so I gave her only two of my eggs that will be going into lockdown tonight...she's pretty small she is a Bantam Frizzle Cochin plus this is her first time and has only been broody two days. I could have given her eggs that will take a week or more to hatch day but I kinda fingure this way is she stays on the nest for three more days we should have babies. Should I have given her eggs that are not as developed yet? My Silkie that is same age as her sat for a week before I gave her eggs then another 3 weeks for hatch and even almost a week after tshe hatched a few until I finally took the eggs away.

well she is going to have one of the shortest broody hatches of all time lol. as far as giving her some not as developed, it may have been better, at least she would be able to run close to the length . But i don't know if it really matters they can't count or tell time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well I am so disappointed my little bantam hen has given up her 2 chicks at a little over 3 weeks old. She has started to lay eggs again so i think that was her cue to give up being a mama. I am going to wait till tonight and see if she takes them into the coop with her to keep them warm if she doesn't let them get under her or she gets on the roost then i have to put her and her chicks into a small coop and keep her in there with them at night till they are a little older. So frustrating.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Well Duchess gave up on her six eggs that were due in about a week. Luckily I was out there and i was watching her so after about 20 minutes I snatched them up and took them in the house and put them in with my duck egg.

She has since lost all urge to sit, but has kept the attitude Luckily I managed to hatch two of her eggs at the Easter hatch so I have two of her babies

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hopefully the chick will be old enough to have its feathers and fend for itself - but if it's not - do what Miss Lydia suggests by putting together somewhere. Smokey gave up on her babies already - they turn 6 weeks old tomorrow.

so what do you do when a broody decides mama'ing is done and only had one chick??

 

[bobbieschicks]

Whatever eggs you want to give her would be fine - I gave Smokey eggs that were about to hatch (Day 17) and let her hatch them out. Since she's a first timer you should give her ones that you wouldn't mind not having hatch - just in case.

Well I have another batch of eggs ready for lockdown tonight...I actually have a batch every week this month. I found that my Cochin has gone broody so I gave her only two of my eggs that will be going into lockdown tonight...she's pretty small she is a Bantam Frizzle Cochin plus this is her first time and has only been broody two days. I could have given her eggs that will take a week or more to hatch day but I kinda fingure this way is she stays on the nest for three more days we should have babies. Should I have given her eggs that are not as developed yet? My Silkie that is same age as her sat for a week before I gave her eggs then another 3 weeks for hatch and even almost a week after tshe hatched a few until I finally took the eggs away.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Sorry about Duchess giving up - maybe she could still raise the newborns? Glad you got two hatched - pictures please!

Well Duchess gave up on her six eggs that were due in about a week. Luckily I was out there and i was watching her so after about 20 minutes I snatched them up and took them in the house and put them in with my duck egg.

She has since lost all urge to sit, but has kept the attitude Luckily I managed to hatch two of her eggs at the Easter hatch so I have two of her babies

 

[bobbieschicks]

So sorry -

I know how frustrating it is to see the little ones peeping for momma and she's like "who are you?" Smokey is done being a momma. She even snatched away the bread I tossed to the little Wellies today. She's moved on. She started laying again 3 days ago and I've gotten a beautiful blue/green egg from her each day. But I would much rather see her being a momma then get her eggs. At least hers are 6 weeks old tomorrow. It's still pretty cool here at night - at least the babies can huddle together.

Well I am so disappointed my little bantam hen has given up her 2 chicks at a little over 3 weeks old. She has started to lay eggs again so i think that was her cue to give up being a mama. I am going to wait till tonight and see if she takes them into the coop with her to keep them warm if she doesn't let them get under her or she gets on the roost then i have to put her and her chicks into a small coop and keep her in there with them at night till they are a little older. So frustrating.