Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stone_family3]

I just made a 2nd attempt with Noira, my BA. I have some cat litter buckets that I converted so I moved her off the nest, held her while I moved the eggs and then put her back on them and "shut" the lid. It's cracked so she can still breath. If it works maybe I'll try and move Sunshine, my NH, again.

I left her there in the "dark" for about 15 minutes before opening the flap and letting it hang open. She can push out if she wants, but I doubt she will she's a sweet broody unlike my Dutch Bantie and NH.

Same here. I made a nice and cozy nest for Henrietta because I was planning to move her but she freaked and started clucking and trying to get back to the other nest. So sunday she will be on the eggs a week so far she has been a good momma. It just took her a month to finally give in!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well Issabelle came out today ran around like a crazy woman [hen] then after about 30 min went back on her nest of 4 eggs, yep while she was out I put 2 eggs laid today in there that way if the ones she is on don't hatch she can keep the bator going another 21 days, and if we do get some chicks from the original 2 then the 2 from today will be placed in the box where my bantam frizzle has been laying all day on nothing. I think Issabelle is up for it i just don't know if i am. She is 1 crazy hen.. but a good broody and mommie.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I just made a 2nd attempt with Noira, my BA. I have some cat litter buckets that I converted so I moved her off the nest, held her while I moved the eggs and then put her back on them and "shut" the lid. It's cracked so she can still breath. If it works maybe I'll try and move Sunshine, my NH, again.

I left her there in the "dark" for about 15 minutes before opening the flap and letting it hang open. She can push out if she wants, but I doubt she will she's a sweet broody unlike my Dutch Bantie and NH.

Hope it works for you!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Well Issabelle came out today ran around like a crazy woman [hen] then after about 30 min went back on her nest of 4 eggs, yep while she was out I put 2 eggs laid today in there that way if the ones she is on don't hatch she can keep the bator going another 21 days, and if we do get some chicks from the original 2 then the 2 from today will be placed in the box where my bantam frizzle has been laying all day on nothing. I think Issabelle is up for it i just don't know if i am. She is 1 crazy hen.. but a good broody and mommie. 

Poor Issabelle, hope something hatches for her soon.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I plan to candle all the eggs on Sunday night after my DH and kids get back from their swim meet. I'll only toss the clears and stinkers at this point.

I have 4 silkie eggs under Topsy, 16 silkie eggs in the bator and 9 Black Copper Maran eggs in the bator too. I'm hoping to get some pullets this time, getting a little tired of all the roosters around here. My Wellies are crowing, Spots spawn of EE/WL is crowing and the lead silkie roo isn't too happy about the new competition.

 

[Tripp16]

Well Issabelle came out today ran around like a crazy woman [hen] then after about 30 min went back on her nest of 4 eggs, yep while she was out I put 2 eggs laid today in there that way if the ones she is on don't hatch she can keep the bator going another 21 days, and if we do get some chicks from the original 2 then the 2 from today will be placed in the box where my bantam frizzle has been laying all day on nothing. I think Issabelle is up for it i just don't know if i am. She is 1 crazy hen.. but a good broody and mommie.

I hope you get some chicks soon. I think it would be such a let down to sit 3 weeks and get nothing in return. Hope if nothing hatches this time that next time something will.

I love how you describe her running around. Gracie did that same thing but Henrietta doesnt. Maybe its because she a standard. She just walks around all fluffed up clucking the cluck. Then she decides to get up on the nest she sits on the perch and lets out a loud shreek wings spread and everything!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I hope you get some chicks soon. I think it would be such a let down to sit 3 weeks and get nothing in return. Hope if nothing hatches this time that next time something will.

I love how you describe her running around. Gracie did that same thing but Henrietta doesnt. Maybe its because she a standard. She just walks around all fluffed up clucking the cluck. Then she decides to get up on the nest she sits on the perch and lets out a loud shreek wings spread and everything! 

When Topsy gets down she will walk fine and then all of a sudden spaz. She squawks loudly and shakes her whole self so all her feathers fly around like a dust mop being shook out. It is really funny to watch. She doesn't bawk bawk like Smokey did. But she does a quiet cluck sound.

 

[stone_family3]

Thanks I went out when the coop was dark and tackled my mean girl sun shine. Moved the eggs backed her into a bucket box and then proped the door "shut" it's about 3 finger's width cracked (not that I'm sticking fingers in there LOL). So now both girls are in their own bucket for the night. Since the coop has been shut up and dark since 7ish and I won't be opening it back up till about 8ish I'm hoping it tricks them into laying in there instead of the other boxes.

Mysteriously each girl has lost some marked eggs and gained some new eggs. I can't find any evidence of broken eggs in the coop.

If this plan backfires and it doesn't work, as long as the girls get out of the box a few times to stretch and eat and drink can I keep them in there for a few days? They have room enough to stick their heads out, I just really want to train them to stay in those boxes away from the other mean girls. Their chicks will be much safer there then in the open top nesting boxes.

Hope it works for you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I plan to candle all the eggs on Sunday night after my DH and kids get back from their swim meet. I'll only toss the clears and stinkers at this point.
I have 4 silkie eggs under Topsy, 16 silkie eggs in the bator and 9 Black Copper Maran eggs in the bator too. I'm hoping to get some pullets this time, getting a little tired of all the roosters around here. My Wellies are crowing, Spots spawn of EE/WL is crowing and the lead silkie roo isn't too happy about the new competition.

Do you also butcher your extra roos or just find homes for them? I hope you get 99.99% pullets this time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope you get some chicks soon. I think it would be such a let down to sit 3 weeks and get nothing in return. Hope if nothing hatches this time that next time something will.

I love how you describe her running around. Gracie did that same thing but Henrietta doesnt. Maybe its because she a standard. She just walks around all fluffed up clucking the cluck. Then she decides to get up on the nest she sits on the perch and lets out a loud shreek wings spread and everything!

Probably so the bantams have to look bigger.

the Standard just have this air about them.