Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

these are my two broodys

 

[Miss Lydia]

these are my two broodys

Johnn they are very pretty, look on the feather shaft around the vent area if they have lice they would be there and also under their wings

 

[Johnn]

Ok thanks they are both really pretty but Melow is not getting any eggs ive baught because she just acts silly!, all i need to know now is do i fill a box up with ashes like out the fire and out it in her broody coop and sprinkle some louse powder in it aswell so she had the option to go in it if she wants to?, the reason im so worried about lice is because another hen has some so im going to put some powder on her but im worried because of that notice on it

 

[Tripp16]

Tripp are they LF or bantams? By 4 weeks Smokey all but abandoned her last clutch of LF chicks during the day. However they squeezed under her on the roost as needed at night. That was in cold weather. The current clutch of silkies are just about to turn 3 weeks old on Tuesdy and are doing fine because temps are very hot here.
They will be fine. She will keep them warm as needed even on the roost.

They are LF but they arent feathered out. Maybe because its been warmer? I they seem to be doing fine though.

 

[Johnn]

also we burn coal in out fire with the logs so would that matter?

 

[bobbieschicks]

also we burn coal in out fire with the logs so would that matter?

So sorry to take so long to answer. I thought I posted but I guess my iPad didn't save it.

Yes ash from fireplace. Coal is fine. DE is fine. Just put in a small tub or box for her to roll around in it. My chicks have Sweet PDZ in their manure box with sevin sprinkled in due to flies being abundant, and the chicks will get down into it and roll around.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Ok thanks they are both really pretty but Melow is not getting any eggs ive baught because she just acts silly!, all i need to know now is do i fill a box up with ashes like out the fire and out it in her broody coop and sprinkle some louse powder in it aswell so she had the option to go in it if she wants to?, the reason im so worried about lice is because another hen has some so im going to put some powder on her but im worried because of that notice on it

It's my understanding that lice travel, but not fast or far. Meaning that unless the broody is touching the same areas she won't catch the lice. But if she's coming in contact ith the lice infected hens, she will need to be treated. You also need to remove ALL bedding or straw and replace it after treating for lice. Then repeat in 10 days. If possible I would keep her separated unil the lice situation is under control.

 

[bobbieschicks]

They are LF but they arent feathered out. Maybe because its been warmer? I they seem to be doing fine though.

This is the part I don't like about broodies, when they let the babies be on their own. But I guess if they think the babies are ready I have to trust they know what they are doing. After all, that's the purpose for which God created them.

 

[Johnn]

Yeah she's seperatd but she was running round eating with her today but she never got to close to anyone because she was running round like she had no head, and I thaugh the coal would cause chest infections but musnt do if other people have done it

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yeah she's seperatd but she was running round eating with her today but she never got to close to anyone because she was running round like she had no head, and I thaugh the coal would cause chest infections but musnt do if other people have done it

I have wood burning stove so I don't use coal ashes, but it appearsit is safe mixed with other substrates.

http://www.ruleworks.co.uk/poultry/dust-bath.asp