Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Tripp16]

My turkey hen hatched out some babies yesterday. She was sitting on 7 turk eggs and 12 Cochin eggs that I *thought* were supposed to hatch on Wednesday. I went to the coop yesterday to check things, and there was a poult, so I was obviously way off on my hatch date. I'm positive the chicken eggs wont hatch until Wed. She's still sitting on them, but I'm worried she's going to keep on sitting and neglect the poults. So, are poults like chicks? Meaning, do they survive off the yolk sac for 2-3 days, or do they need to eat and drink sooner? I've caught up a few and dipped their little beaks in the water, and the level in the waterer has changed, so someones been drinking. I plan on taking the eggs and putting them in the incubator, but I'm at work all weekend and can't deal with them until tomorrow (or perhaps tonight- since I think she'd be less inclined to try and murder my hand in the dark). Will my babies be alright tonight or tomorrow around noon? They've got food and water in their cage, but another concern at this point is her defecating all over the chicken eggs that are SO close to being finished. Plus, if the poults are eating and drinking, I'm sure they're pooing all over them too

anyway, sorry for the novel, I'm just not sure what to do. Oh, P.S- I've got 3 broody chicken hens as well, so another opting is to shuffle some eggs around (they were all set and should hatch the same day) and let one of them hatch the turkeys eggs, and give her eggs to one of the other hens. Shew, I need to be better organized with this hatching business! Thanks for taking the time to read this. Here's a picture of the proud mama with a couple of her cute little babies!

Ahh I have 6 turkey eggs in the incubator that got abandoned and I have NO idea when hatch date is! When I got them they wre cool so Im not holding out much hope. I love little turkeys!

 

[Miss Lydia]

UGH!!

I am really mad! I came home only to find Henrietta (Broody hen) in the corner cowering with her feathers EVERYWHERE! She has no feathers left on her head and her poor comb is all beat up. The Hormone crazed rooster attacked her! He did this yesterday but didnt get to get her because I was out there! I dont know whether her feathers being puffed up and her acting weird set him off or the fact she wouldnt mate with him! I dont know but he is leaving, SOON!

She walked up to me and was still doing the broody cluck she stood in shock for about 20 minutes and then woke up and starting clucking again, she ate and drank at a ton then I set her by her eggs. (Which were cool by the way) and she set back down wriggled down on them and went to sleep. She is out like a light. I dont know if thats good or bad.

Im just glad I caught her when I did. She most likely would have died....

I'm sorry to hear this Tripp, is this the roo that just showed up at your house? hope she get okay poor thing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's my sharing broodies!! They went out with the chicks today!

Those chicks are adorable, not to sure about the naked neck. JK.. they are adorable.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mama brought the kiddies out for a walk today!!

Well Miss Patience, it paid off in the long run didn't it. precious..

 

[Tripp16]

I'm sorry to hear this Tripp, is this the roo that just showed up at your house? hope she get okay poor thing.

Yes its Willy. The new rooster. I feel like its my fault letting him in. I just checked on her and she seems ok. Shes back screeching at me again. Hopefully she will get a good rest and be back to normal, or normal for a broody. I thought for sure this would break her out of "Broody mode" but it didnt. Shes much more dedicated then I thought she was. I hope if her eggs dont hatch that I will have some in the incubator hatch for her to tend to.

I hate her eggs got cool. Do you think they are goners?

 

[featherz]

So cute! Is that a NN or turkey? She looks like she is wearing a hat

Heh. that's one of my NN. Good thing she is so close in color to the other broody. Silly chicks just got lost in the woods - you could hear them peeping from the house (which is a looong way away). I tried unsuccessfully to catch them so finally I got the bright idea to go snag one of the moms and have her cluck them out.

 

[Tripp16]

Heh. that's one of my NN. Good thing she is so close in color to the other broody. Silly chicks just got lost in the woods - you could hear them peeping from the house (which is a looong way away). I tried unsuccessfully to catch them so finally I got the bright idea to go snag one of the moms and have her cluck them out.

Oh I know how you feel. My silkies arent the smartest chicken in the hen house. LOL

I have one that will stand in a corner and act like its a threat and sparred with the corner at one time!

 

[bobbieschicks]

UGH!!

I am really mad! I came home only to find Henrietta (Broody hen) in the corner cowering with her feathers EVERYWHERE! She has no feathers left on her head and her poor comb is all beat up. The Hormone crazed rooster attacked her! He did this yesterday but didnt get to get her because I was out there! I dont know whether her feathers being puffed up and her acting weird set him off or the fact she wouldnt mate with him! I dont know but he is leaving, SOON!

She walked up to me and was still doing the broody cluck she stood in shock for about 20 minutes and then woke up and starting clucking again, she ate and drank at a ton then I set her by her eggs. (Which were cool by the way) and she set back down wriggled down on them and went to sleep. She is out like a light. I dont know if thats good or bad.

Im just glad I caught her when I did. She most likely would have died....

Wow. Glad you were there in time. Hope she's doing fine now.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yes its Willy. The new rooster. I feel like its my fault letting him in. I just checked on her and she seems ok. Shes back screeching at me again. Hopefully she will get a good rest and be back to normal, or normal for a broody. I thought for sure this would break her out of "Broody mode" but it didnt. Shes much more dedicated then I thought she was. I hope if her eggs dont hatch that I will have some in the incubator hatch for her to tend to.

I hate her eggs got cool. Do you think they are goners?

They'll probably be fine. Plenty have said their eggs got cool and still hatched.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They'll probably be fine. Plenty have said their eggs got cool and still hatched.

Thats right Tripp the eggs are probably okay..