Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

Ok so now things are going wrong.  I have two chicks dead that looked like they may have been squished.  two dead that were not squished.  I think it may be the heat.  The coop is warm as it is very hot here.  I took 4 externally pipped eggs and threw them in the bator.  I left her 3 eggs that had not pipped yet.  Should I leave those, steal them.  Do you think it is the heat or the hen?

 

I'm so sorry. I haven't had squished chicks yet but it could be the heat. Don't know. Keep an eye on everything and pull the ones that pip is a wise idea for now.

 

[bobbieschicks]

After almost 2 weeks ( this saturday.) Mrs. Henrietta finally brought the chicks outside and was done scratching around in the coop. I didnt rush her because of what happened with the roo. But I let the rooster out "free range" and a few minutes later out popped mommas head and falling in behind her was her 7 little naughty chicks.

I say naughty because they get out somehow every single day! Then they cant get back with mom. Gracies chicks NEVER got out!

They all have their little wings and they think they are the stuff!

I love broodies!

I need pictures please

 

[lilstar]

Anyone else ever stare at those hens just sitting there.. day after day.. and thank your lucky stars to be a mammal? lol. Not that pregnancy is particularly easy, its not terrible and I can leave the house And I think I might choose a few hours (or perhaps several, depending on luck/unluckyness!) of labor vs 3 weeks of just sitting there.. yikes! lol.

On another note, its kinda amazing to me how they just know what needs to be done. How do they know that? Thats so cool. This particular bird hatched in an incubator in my bedroom and was hand raised. She has NO example. No one taught her how to hatch chicks. Yet she knows she must sit on and guard those eggs! I wonder if she *actually* knows chicks will come out, or is just stuck in the "now" of "protect the eggs" which will naturally translate to "protect the chicks" Nature is incredible

 

[kizanne]

Anyone else ever stare at those hens just sitting there.. day after day.. and thank your lucky stars to be a mammal? lol. Not that pregnancy is particularly easy, its not terrible and I can leave the house And I think I might choose a few hours (or perhaps several, depending on luck/unluckyness!) of labor vs 3 weeks of just sitting there.. yikes! lol.

On another note, its kinda amazing to me how they just know what needs to be done. How do they know that? Thats so cool. This particular bird hatched in an incubator in my bedroom and was hand raised. She has NO example. No one taught her how to hatch chicks. Yet she knows she must sit on and guard those eggs! I wonder if she *actually* knows chicks will come out, or is just stuck in the "now" of "protect the eggs" which will naturally translate to "protect the chicks" Nature is incredible

I'd much rather sit for 3 weeks than be pregnant for 9 months

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is one of my broodies with some of her brood. She's an old English game bantam crossed with a pekin and the chicks are 3/4 OEGB and 1/4 pekin. Just looking at the second photo do you think the chick on the right is a cockerel due to the size of it's feet compared to it's sister?

ps the other broody and it's chicks are a bit camera shy at the moment. Hopefully i'll get some better photos when they are a bit more active.

To update on my last post all 16 / 16 eggs hatched

. There are 4 brown, 1 grey and 11 black ones. I'm surprised there is any variation seems as both mum and dad are black.

Such sweet pics!! Congrats on such a great big hatch!!! and are the feet that much bigger or is it just the light color make them look that way?

 

[nickie]

Here she is with her brand new baby.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd much rather sit for 3 weeks than be pregnant for 9 months

I think i have to agree!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here she is with her brand new baby.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I need pictures please

X2

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote: Exactly, it's really impressive! Like when chicks born at a hatchery and raised in a brooder box know that when you cross the open yard you need to spread your wings, duck your head, and run like the wind in case a hawk is watching. It's impressive how broody hens know just how long to time their daily coffee breaks and how close to set upon the eggs to keep them at just the right temperature. I've seen hens spread themselves almost flat (my kids laugh and say "look, a chicken pancake!") over their egglings during cold spells and take only the briefest of breaks off the nest. And watched others on really hot afternoons standing up over their eggs to allow a breeze to blow there, and indulge in a dust bath during their extended breaks.

To me, an amazing creation points to an even more awesome Creator...