Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Glasshen]

Achickenwrangler, just double checking, is there water and chick feed right near mama and the babies? The babies will be getting hungry, and if everything is close by, they can nip out for a bite then snuggle back without getting lost.

 

[aaggjg]

I know you all say to put the chicks under a broody at night.... My girl is really gentle doesn't peck me when I reach under or pet her.... Etc etc... Would it be ok to give her chicks during the day?? Or is that just crazy?

 

[bobbieschicks]

May have spoken too soon as went out to give them some egg and two of the four were huddled in corner. Put them back under broody and still there..I think it was more there choice than hers and are a little older and ready to move. Have a towel hanging to keep the light subdued..really hate to mess with mother nature since I am now responsible for what happens. Oh well, could still be a win/win.

My broody's chicks would wander around the area when they felt comfortable and then rush back under momma when they got cold or worried. She hatched them in the winter/early spring - a couple of nights it got down to 30s and I don't heat the coop.
I was worried about them - but she did a great job of calling them back and they all managed to stay warm & safe. The chicks may be looking for food or water at that age - put their beaks in some water and make sure it's a shallow small bowl so they don't drown in it. I put rocks in the water to help them not drown. Also put some chick feed in there on a plate or flat bowl for them to munch on - they'll find it when they are hungry. You can remove the towel - if it's safe. As long as they are 1-3 days old they should bond with momma and not be afraid of her. She will most likely take them in no matter the age as she's hormonal right now. But if they are afraid of her - they will need to be broodered some other way.

 

[bobbieschicks]

You can certainly give it a try and see if it works.

My Smokey let me move her 3 times during the day the 1st time she went broody. This time when she went broody she wouldn't accept the change until I did it at night. So consistency isn't something I would count on with a broody.

The reason you do it at night is so that she has less chance of reacting badly - it's like sneaking a new chicken onto the roost with the others. You do it at night - in the dark and they wake up together and it's like "oh, you were there? okay - I guess I remember you" - but try doing it during daylight hours and they peck the newbie ruthlessly.

Let us know how it goes.

I know you all say to put the chicks under a broody at night.... My girl is really gentle doesn't peck me when I reach under or pet her.... Etc etc... Would it be ok to give her chicks during the day?? Or is that just crazy?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had 4 Marans hatch overnight!! In my bator .... Still waiting on others. I've heard of people putting pipped eggs under their broody..... What do you guys think of that idea?? Or should I just put chicks under her?? She's going to be so happy I can't wait!!!

If she is still sitting then do it. They will hatch under her and it will be so much better for the chicks. Congrats to you o one of little faith.

" sorry bobbieschickes don't mean to contradict you you i have heard that they will hatch if put under when pipped but have never done it so it is just hear say.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I NOW know from bad experience to leave unhatched eggs you're not SURE are occupied in nest until a couple of days AFTER last hatch. Suzette was off nest all day yesterday and she had 1 egg left in her nest(we destroyed the other remaining 5-1 had chick in it-I am damaged for life) that I had saved when we discovered fully formed live chick in one of the eggs we were destroying. SO I was very upset clutching the remaining egg(that had an "F" on it meaning at day 12 of incubation/candling we thought it was occupied) and put in back in nest where it sat all alone until dark when suzette came back in and sat on remaining egg. no pip on egg at time but this morning she has TEN chicks so it hatched! can't tell the newborn from the 3 day olds.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

I can't remember if I posted the results of my Australorp on Hamburg eggs hatch, so here you go:

 

[Texasmja]

I put 12 (5 day old chicks) under my broody hen and they all bonded just fine.

 

[bobbieschicks]

If she is still sitting then do it. They will hatch under her and it will be so much better for the chicks. Congrats to you o one of little faith.

" sorry bobbieschickes don't mean to contradict you you i have heard that they will hatch if put under when pipped but have never done it so it is just hear say.

Actually that makes since - as long as they have pipped they are getting air and the membrane should be okay since she's been preparing her own humidity levels.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Awwhhh - so cute!

I can't remember if I posted the results of my Australorp on Hamburg eggs hatch, so here you go: