Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[JoshU]

I know they dont fit in this category because i incubated these two because of timing but look at my avatar. I have to say they are two of the cutest creatures on earth. This was there first day out of the brooder. I am so proud. lol.

 

[bobbieschicks]

[COLOR=0000CD]I have a bit of a problem and not sure what to do.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=0000CD]My broody Ebony (black Austrolorp) was sitting on 4 turkey eggs, turned out none were fertile. So I bought her 3 banty chicks. She has been doing great with them for the last 3 days or so that she had them, but this morning when I checked on her one of them was dead. I think maybe she got squashed.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=0000CD]I am wondering if I should take the other 2 away from her and just raise them myself? Will she still be broody if I take them?[/COLOR]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Unfortuntely baby chicks die all the time for a variety of reasons. I wouldn't assume it was smooshed, broodies usually take very careful care of their chicks. It could have been ill. I would let her continue to rear the others and keep an eye on them. Occasionally there are problems with broodies, but overall they do fine.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I know they dont fit in this category because i incubated these two because of timing  but look at my avatar.  I have to say they are two of the cutest creatures on earth.  This was there first day out of the brooder.  I am so proud. lol.  

Adorable. They look like they are eight weeks old? It's so much fun the first time the get outside and notice grass and bugs. Lol.

 

[msmechanic58]

‎ One of our chicks is gone...I think the hens that are not broody snatched it and killed it. They snatched a black one while I was out there and I had to rescue it. Hurt its leg poor little thing! Mama is so traumatized! I locked all the big hens out of the main coop so they are using the small coop for food and water today. I will switch the mamas and new babies to the little coop this evening when it is bedtime.

 

[bobbieschicks]

‎ One of our chicks is gone...I think the hens that are not broody snatched it and killed it. They snatched a black one while I was out there and I had to rescue it. Hurt its leg poor little thing! Mama is so traumatized! I locked all the big hens out of the main coop so they are using the small coop for food and water today. I will switch the mamas and new babies to the little coop this evening when it is bedtime.

Oh that's too bad. So sorry for your loss. Do you mean it's dead or missing? If missing it may be hiding. Poor thing. I usually keep the little ones inside until they are about a week old. I'm certain the broody doesn't like it, but I like to give them a chance to know how to hide.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Adorable! Hope you get your olive egger.

X2

 

[ThePendragon]

I shall picture my chicks later; 3pipped 6 are out!

 

[Miss Lydia]

‎ One of our chicks is gone...I think the hens that are not broody snatched it and killed it. They snatched a black one while I was out there and I had to rescue it. Hurt its leg poor little thing! Mama is so traumatized! I locked all the big hens out of the main coop so they are using the small coop for food and water today. I will switch the mamas and new babies to the little coop this evening when it is bedtime.

I'm so sorry.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Question ...if a broody sits on the nest for only one day is it likely the eggs started, and if they did, what should I look for? (Candeling) will I see anything started? I don't have a broody now, and not sure this one was for sure sitting, maybe she was just adding another egg to the clutch. I looked around the net but didn't get a specific answer.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Question ...if a broody sits on the nest for only one day is it likely the eggs started, and if they did, what should I look for? (Candeling) will I see anything started? I don't have a broody now, and not sure this one was for sure sitting, maybe she was just adding another egg to the clutch. I looked around the net but didn't get a specific answer.

It would be hard to see the development after only one day of sitting. Even with white eggshells it is hard to see day 3 development. When you candle you can see a spot and spidery veins going outward by day 3. And sometimes a hen will stay on her egg after laying it, but I don't count that as broody. We still eat those eggs. She has to stop laying eggs and stay on the nest at night for three nights before I consider her broody.