Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

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Well Miss Lydia I got some Oxine. Thanks for telling us about it. I hope it lives up to its reputation. I have already started using it in their waterers. It smells better then ACV and will hopefully keep germs and slime away. Do you use it in your waterers and do you alternate it with ACV? Or something else?

Tomorrow I will be cleaning my coop for spring (okay I'm a little behind schedule). My 11 yo son said he will help with the job so we can get it done before it gets too hot. We are stripping the place and scrubbing inside & out! Can't wait to smell a clean coop again.

On another note, I've ordered some chicken saddles for the two oldest pullets. They are either rooster ridden or molting, and they are looking mighty bald. So hoping the saddles will help get them back to pretty again. Have you ever used them? I'm sure my DH thinks its nuts. I would never consider dressing my pets so I'm sort of leery of dressing my chicken with anything other then stuffing. Lol
 
Oh my gosh I am shaking can barely type. Birds were supposed to hatch on Wednesday. I have 3 brahmas and barred rock baby under my Broodies Oh my gosh I could bust. I can barely type.:D

Ok, I just went and checked! Oh my, :p
 
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bobbieschicks said:
On another note, I've ordered some chicken saddles for the two oldest pullets. They are either rooster ridden or molting, and they are looking mighty bald. So hoping the saddles will help get them back to pretty again. Have you ever used them? I'm sure my DH thinks its nuts. I would never consider dressing my pets so I'm sort of leery of dressing my chicken with anything other then stuffing. Lol
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I tried a saddle for one of my girls. They only help before the damage is done - to prevent the damage. Once your boys have worked their magic, you have to wait for a moult. And I don't think you will want a saddle on her during the moult. (In truth, I found the saddle broke even MORE feathers - where it was strapped on.)
 
Temperature in my barn AND in my coop today is approaching 100 degrees! I don't even need a broody to hatch eggs if it stays like this. (At this rate, I'll have chicks in 14 days - it HAS to be 110 degrees under the hen or more ....
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michaelinnc84 said:
Note: If you see any misinformation, things you think should be added, information needing updated or removed, or any other changes to the FAQs please PM me. I will try and keep them updated. Thanks!

FAQs

How old does a hen and rooster need to be to be able to breed?
They need to be between 16 and 18 weeks old.

How do I know if a hen is broody?
They tend to stay in their nest boxes - getting up only a couple times a day - if that - to get nurishment and to relieve herself. A broody hen also might growl or bite at you if you come too close. They also tend to puff out their feathers to look larger and also to pull some feathers to keep their eggs warm.

Purpose of a broody hen?
A broody hen is great to have around if you want to hatch eggs the natural way. They are great on farms that want to be self sustainable or in case of a power outage when you can't use an electrical incubator. The broody hen will also protect and teach the young chicks. They do however stop laying eggs while being broody and this is a problem for some.

Other hens laying eggs in her nest?
If you find other hens laying eggs in the broody hens nest, it is is best to mark the broodies eggs with a washable non toxic marker. This will allow you to collect the extra eggs each day and ensure the broody continues to sit on the same eggs. Others have had success with moving the broody hen off by herself where other hens can't get to her.

How do I make my hen go broody?
You can't make a hen go broody, especially if it's not in her nature or if broodyness has been bred out of that breed by other breeders or hatcheries. You can however get a few golf balls and put in a nest to see if that will encourage her to go broody. If she sits on the golf balls for a few days without getting up except for a few minutes, then she is broody and you can put some fertile eggs under her.

What are the best broody hens?
Araucana - Frequent Brooder
Australorp - Very Frequent Brooder
Belgian D'Anver - Frequent Brooder
Belgian D'Uccle - Very Frequent Brooder
Brahma - Frequent Brooder
Cochin - Top Notch Brooders
Dominique - Frequent Brooder
Dorking - Very Frequent Brooder
Japanese - Very Frequent Brooder
Java - Frequent Brooder
Marans - Very Frequent Brooder
New Hampshire - Good Brooder
Orpington - Frequent Brooder
Silkie - Top Notch Brooder
Sussex - Good Brooder
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My Rhode Island Red hens are broody :D I'm waiting for baby chicks anytime!! I hope anyways...i'll be really sad if not but she didn't make her nest in the nesting boxes lol she made her nest under our steps!! everytime we walk up or down the steps into our home, she growls!! I tell her to shush and stay on her eggs we arent going to bother her
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artsyrobin said:
basically i put the saddle on when its obvious there is a problem, and leave it on until the feathers grow back, and check underneath periodically for mites or sore spots....

i have told my girls no broodies for the summer- too darn hot!! i feel so sorry for them panting in there....
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Thanks!!

I know what you mean, my girls are all walking around panting in this 90F weather.
 

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