Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Hi All,
I haven't been on for several weeks, but I still enjoy reading about your broodies and babies! My Buffy hatched her eggs 5 weeks ago on Friday. So, the babies are a little over 4 weeks old and not quite feathered out. Buffy still keeps them in the nest box at night and protects them around the yard during the day...giving them more independance daily it seems. But, I'm concerned that she may abandon them before they are ready to be on their own.

Today Buffy laid her first egg in about 6 weeks! I had the feeling she might start laying again because she's been squatting for us the last couple of days. I am flying out of town for the next week and my husband will be "tending" the chickens.

Should I be concerned that the other hens will attack her babies or do broodies usually defend their baby chicks until they can fend for themselves? I'm really nervous for her three little ones.

Here is a picture of Buffy with Ginger, TJ and Tia Juanita (the white leghorns were Trader Joe eggs that she hatched)

When she gives them up they may get picked on it only natural but i really don't think it will amount to anything serious, it's just part of flock initiation.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hi All,
I haven't been on for several weeks, but I still enjoy reading about your broodies and babies!  My Buffy hatched her eggs 5 weeks ago on Friday.  So, the babies are a little over 4 weeks old and not quite feathered out.  Buffy still keeps them in the nest box at night and protects them around the yard during the day...giving them more independance daily it seems.  But, I'm concerned that she may abandon them before they are ready to be on their own. 

Today Buffy laid her first egg in about 6 weeks!  I had the feeling she might start laying again because she's been squatting for us the last couple of days.  I am flying out of town for the next week and my husband will be "tending" the chickens.   Should I be concerned that the other hens will attack her babies or do broodies usually defend their baby chicks until they can fend for themselves?  I'm really nervous for her three little ones. 

Here is a picture of Buffy with Ginger, TJ and Tia Juanita (the white leghorns were Trader Joe eggs that she hatched)

Don't worry about the babies. They will be fine. The broody will still watch over them a bit until she teaches them to roost. After that it's time for them to be on their own. They will find their place in the flock.

 

[melly101]

hey,
we have hatched heaps of chicks and the mother protets them like crazy!
she even went at a sheep!
i wouldnt worry so much unless u have hawks or eagles around.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I think I'd get your mama some kind of poultry vitamins, her comb looks pretty pale, it takes it's toll on the some more so than others. Precious babies too.

Such adorable babies! Maybe feed her some scrambled eggs - that's what I feed my broodies & their new babies. Add some infant or poultry vitamins to the waterer for them. Or add some Kickin Chicken to help her get nutrients.

 

[perchie.girl]

congrats Miss L

Our 15 lb Maine coon mix killed this this morning. It was stalking a 3 lb dark blue Sumatra hen.

Wow I was impressed when our momma cat left me a humungous rat on the doorstep. I would Rename that Main Coon NINJA..... Wow.

deb

 

[vmdanielsen]

yup, it's a young weasel. William doesn't like tuna. He left the kill for me. His prefered prey to eat are grasshoppers. I'll give William a little extra petting today. He earned it

He most certainly did!

 

[vmdanielsen]

Hi All,
I haven't been on for several weeks, but I still enjoy reading about your broodies and babies! My Buffy hatched her eggs 5 weeks ago on Friday. So, the babies are a little over 4 weeks old and not quite feathered out. Buffy still keeps them in the nest box at night and protects them around the yard during the day...giving them more independance daily it seems. But, I'm concerned that she may abandon them before they are ready to be on their own.

Today Buffy laid her first egg in about 6 weeks! I had the feeling she might start laying again because she's been squatting for us the last couple of days. I am flying out of town for the next week and my husband will be "tending" the chickens.

Should I be concerned that the other hens will attack her babies or do broodies usually defend their baby chicks until they can fend for themselves? I'm really nervous for her three little ones.

Here is a picture of Buffy with Ginger, TJ and Tia Juanita (the white leghorns were Trader Joe eggs that she hatched)

My chicks are about 6 weeks and momma pays no attention to them any more. Every now and then I hear a chick squawk and see her run, but it is more of a hen saying Remember, Auntie is your boss so when I come for food, you WILL move out of the way!! no harm is done. Pecking order established!! Don't worry!!!

 

[Tripp16]

My chicks are about 6 weeks and momma pays no attention to them any more. Every now and then I hear a chick squawk and see her run, but it is more of a hen saying Remember, Auntie is your boss so when I come for food, you WILL move out of the way!! no harm is done. Pecking order established!! Don't worry!!!

I agree. Thats how my first broodies little boys were. She completely ditched them after the 5th week and they stuck together. She never harmed them unless they tried to get into her nest when she was laying. THAT was a sight seeing two almost 2 month old standard roosters crawl in with their bantam mother.

But the other didnt bother them much but their hormones hadnt kicked in before they found new homes with their own ladies.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Ok ... so I am tentatively reappearing. I believe I may REALLY have a broody this time. Last one was laying internally and I had to cull her which sucked big time so I disappeared quietly. She was one of my original girls. Totally broke my heart. Anyway, that is past tense. This time, I think I have a REAL broody - a first time broody. 1 year old Blue Copper Marans - BIG girl, but unproven. But appears to be determined at this point. I know not to get my hopes up. I'm in the process of collecting eggs for her. We'll see what happens.(I also think my proven Red Sex Link broody is seriously considering another round so my fingers and toes are crossed .... I REALLY think someone need to have a Red Sex Link hatch Silkies ...

)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok ... so I am tentatively reappearing. I believe I may REALLY have a broody this time. Last one was laying internally and I had to cull her which sucked big time so I disappeared quietly. She was one of my original girls. Totally broke my heart. Anyway, that is past tense. This time, I think I have a REAL broody - a first time broody. 1 year old Blue Copper Marans - BIG girl, but unproven. But appears to be determined at this point. I know not to get my hopes up. I'm in the process of collecting eggs for her. We'll see what happens.(I also think my proven Red Sex Link broody is seriously considering another round so my fingers and toes are crossed .... I REALLY think someone need to have a Red Sex Link hatch Silkies ...

)

BG so glad to see you!! and so sorry about your hen that is so hard. But hoping we hear so good things about your BCM and your RSL hum some Silkies very interesting.