Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Blarneyeggs]

I've got a broody who does not look so healthy. Her comb and wattle are very pale. When she does come out of the box the roosters try to breed her and the dominant hens pick on her. My last broody was much higher up in the pecking order and didn't get this reaction, is this normal or are they picking on her because she's not healthy? I've offered her scrambled eggs, she's not taking food from my hands and as she's in the main coop it's hard to tell if she's eaten the eggs or some other hen has. We're only on day 10.

She's been broody a much longer time. When this all started over a month ago,I tried moving her several times to large dog crate, thinking..... she'll either break brood, or sit tight. Well, she did neither. She didn't stay on her eggs and when I thought she'd been broken and put her back in with the other girls.... she'd go straight back to brooding in the main coop. So I broke down and gave her some hatching eggs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Last night I went out and transferred Momma and 7, 1month old chicks to the main coop. Went out at daybreak and opened every thing up. It went really well. No altercations whatever. Rooster only concerned with.....copulation and hens getting food. Nobody overly interested. YaY!

 

[Glasshen]

Vm, glad your move went well. I too had a move. It was getting confusing with four age groups and not too much mingling. I wanted the 6 week olds out of my basement. Friday night my husband was in charge and he let them all put themselves to bed, and found that two of the 6week olds went into the teenagers mini coop, so he put the third in there too. Last night I was home and watched the process. Finally I decided that the teens should move to the adult coop which has brand new extra roosts and poop boards, so it was all different, a good time for a change. The. Six week olds were all peeping and hanging around me wanting me to pick them up to go back in the basement. Nope, they got to stay in the teens old place. Mama was the star of the evening. She had taken her three chicks in the adult coop early and had a spot on the floor behind the door. I couldn't find her and was worried until finally I looked behind the door. This was the first night she had not needed my help getting the babies up the step.
And this morning everyone was still fine!

 

[Johnn]

I've got a broody who does not look so healthy. Her comb and wattle are very pale. When she does come out of the box the roosters try to breed her and the dominant hens pick on her. My last broody was much higher up in the pecking order and didn't get this reaction, is this normal or are they picking on her because she's not healthy? I've offered her scrambled eggs, she's not taking food from my hands and as she's in the main coop it's hard to tell if she's eaten the eggs or some other hen has. We're only on day 10.

She's been broody a much longer time. When this all started over a month ago,I tried moving her several times to large dog crate, thinking..... she'll either break brood, or sit tight. Well, she did neither. She didn't stay on her eggs and when I thought she'd been broken and put her back in with the other girls.... she'd go straight back to brooding in the main coop. So I broke down and gave her some hatching eggs.

If you are worried about her, if she really bad in health you could try getting her some day old chicks and it should stop her being broody if she takes them, i can't give any advice on the picking on bit because all my broodies have never been bullied even when i baught a hen as a broody and let her out side for a bit with the others they only flapped at her a few time then that was it.

 

[Johnn]

Oh and if shes weak the ones below her will take the chance of fighting to be above her

 

[JoshU]

I have a question.......
I have 2 egglayer chicks that my silkie hatched. I can't keep them as they are offspring of my layer flock. I want to sell them but I don't know how my silkie pair is going to react. When I have taken the chicks out the pair has gone crazy. If I sell them, how much will it effect my broody silkie and rooster as they are both raising these chicks? Will she want to sit or will she start laying again? Thanks

 

[aaggjg]

Its so interesting to be home and watch coop politics .... My Alpha hen was in the nest box laying and my other bantam cochin was clucking as she wanted that nest box.... She went into one next to it and they very slowly edged her way towards alpha hen and tried to go in her box. They I realized what she was doing. The egg had been laid and she was trying to steal it!!! So Alpha hen nudged it under her chest and stayed put.... Hmmmmm do we think they are both going broody???? OH MY!!! Alpha hen, Mole Negro, is an ameruacanas ...... and well Nugget the cochin I swear she's been playing with the idea of going broody for weeks now. Another thing going on is my GLW has laid 11 days in a row!!!! Ummm is she trying to build up a clutch to hatch??? This is getting complicated

 

[Miss Lydia]

Its so interesting to be home and watch coop politics .... My Alpha hen was in the nest box laying and my other bantam cochin was clucking as she wanted that nest box.... She went into one next to it and they very slowly edged her way towards alpha hen and tried to go in her box. They I realized what she was doing. The egg had been laid and she was trying to steal it!!! So Alpha hen nudged it under her chest and stayed put.... Hmmmmm do we think they are both going broody???? OH MY!!! Alpha hen, Mole Negro, is an ameruacanas ...... and well Nugget the cochin I swear she's been playing with the idea of going broody for weeks now. Another thing going on is my GLW has laid 11 days in a row!!!! Ummm is she trying to build up a clutch to hatch??? This is getting complicated

Well all i can tell you is broodiness is contagious I have 4 hens sitting and 1 duck. Second time for 1 of my hens..

 

[featherz]

Made this today.. my two broodies and their babies. Doesn't seem to matter who does what!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a question.......
I have 2 egglayer chicks that my silkie hatched. I can't keep them as they are offspring of my layer flock. I want to sell them but I don't know how my silkie pair is going to react. When I have taken the chicks out the pair has gone crazy. If I sell them, how much will it effect my broody silkie and rooster as they are both raising these chicks? Will she want to sit or will she start laying again? Thanks

If you want to sell the chicks determine when you want to sell them or when you get a buyer then take them, they will pitch a fit no matter what you do unless you wait till mama is through raising them at anywhere from 4-6 weeks then take them. Then when she is through raising them or you take them about 2or so weeks later she will start to lay again. Good luck