Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Glasshen]

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if some of the problems in moving broodys may have to do with scent.

Here is why. When I had my broody and chicks in the dog crate in my basement, they had a cardboard box to nest in, and they used it. In an effort to take good care of them, and because there was beginning to be a bit of an odor, I threw out the old bedding and put in nice new, fresh shavings, all clean and nice. They were distressed and would not go into the box. It was the same box in the same position, only nice and clean shavings. For two days they settled down right in front of the entrance to the box.

What do you think?

 

[bobbieschicks]

One of my broody hens hatched out 3 call ducklings!

e Too cute!

 

[AnnieBLix]

The other girls push her out of the nest, Sunshine is a big girl too so I'm surprised she stands for it. I really hate to just let her do whatever since i actually had to pay for fertile eggs.

I had to pay for my fertile eggs too - would be great if my neighbours would tolerate a boy! My thinking on letting her do as she pleases is that if she makes her bed and is quite happy to sit there, you might have more success with getting her to sit tight, rather than trying to get her to sit somewhere she's really not comfortable and abandoning the task halfway through ....

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if some of the problems in moving broodys may have to do with scent.
Here is why. When I had my broody and chicks in the dog crate in my basement, they had a cardboard box to nest in, and they used it. In an effort to take good care of them, and because there was beginning to be a bit of an odor, I threw out the old bedding and put in nice new, fresh shavings, all clean and nice. They were distressed and would not go into the box. It was the same box in the same position, only nice and clean shavings. For two days they settled down right in front of the entrance to the box.
What do you think?

Maybe, when I moved my broody to the cage ( I was hoping it would be a nice spot for her to brood chicks 2'x10' space). She refused to sit in the box with the eggs, when I opened it up and moved the new bedding in the old box with the eggs she hopped right on up there and settled in.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's squashy!! it will go back under momma today or tomorrow, I hope. Gotta go out and see if they squashed any others.

What a cutie looks like it's singing opera.

 

[Miss Lydia]

broody baby! =)

Mama looks haggard, but it's almost all over now. =)

So sweet..

 

[bobbieschicks]

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if some of the problems in moving broodys may have to do with scent.

Here is why. When I had my broody and chicks in the dog crate in my basement, they had a cardboard box to nest in, and they used it. In an effort to take good care of them, and because there was beginning to be a bit of an odor, I threw out the old bedding and put in nice new, fresh shavings, all clean and nice. They were distressed and would not go into the box. It was the same box in the same position, only nice and clean shavings. For two days they settled down right in front of the entrance to the box.

What do you think?

You may be onto something.

 

[luvmyEs]

So far 1 chick has hatched!! A silkie & Easter egger mix. The other egg (a SS and EE mix) is in the process of zipping around the shell. We only allowed our broody silkie to keep 2 eggs for her first time and I feel she has done great! I'll of course post pictures once the second one gets done hatching!!

 

[Tripp16]

Alright broody (maybe) issue!!

Ok well Miss Henrietta (Barred Rock) has taken her time going broody and Im still not 100% sure shes 100% commited. She was on the nest this morning at 7:30 AM came home around 1 still on the nest. Came back out at 2:30 and she was off. She came running inside when I opened the coop door. I felt her eggs as she was getting water and they were VERY warm. I picked her up and she did the broody cluck cluck.

I then set her back in the nest she moved all 15 of the eggs (Golf balls) under her and set down and started screeching.

She has been on the nest ever since and the little piggy wont even eat grass when I offered it to her! She stuck it around the nest!

Ok well if she stays on the nest tonight, do you guys think she is serious? Or should I wait one more day and see if she stays on the nest for two nights?

I am worried that if I hadnt put her back she may not have gotten back on.

What do you guys think?

 

[hokankai]

Looks like Violet is in it for the long haul! I have to drag her off the nest to get her to eat.



Her foster eggs


Taking a break


And her supportive husband in his little man nest, haha!