Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Speaking of drama, earlier today my 2 new mamas brought their chicks out and were doing real good at keeping their distance from each other, then my game hen Lydia jumps Charlotte my cochin bantam and before I know it my mama duck gets in on it so i have 3 hens fighting and chicks peeping to beat the band not having any idea what was going on, the mama ducks duckling wasn't even close by so do really know why she got involved. Got it all sorted out and hopefully it will be a quiet but very hot afternoon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like I got the splash copper Marans I was hoping for ....

We have 3 so far, one of each, blue, black, and splash!

Just day 21 here and they ARE Marans eggs so I'm still hoping more will hatch.

Aww what a nice variety BG..

for more!!

 

[stonykill]

Speaking of drama, earlier today my 2 new mamas brought their chicks out and were doing real good at keeping their distance from each other, then my game hen Lydia jumps Charlotte my cochin bantam and before I know it my mama duck gets in on it so i have 3 hens fighting and chicks peeping to beat the band not having any idea what was going on, the mama ducks duckling wasn't even close by so do really know why she got involved. Got it all sorted out and hopefully it will be a quiet but very hot afternoon.

crazy girls. Every once in a while I'll have broody's go at it. knida crazy your duck got involved in a chicken fight

. As longas it is all peaceful now.

I went to check on Mama and the babies in the front yard. I guess I got too close. She flogged me

. That's a good Mama, protect your babies, even from me

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Stoney- does she do the claw up in your face thing too? I wonder how they can levitate like that! Pepper is finally starting to listen when i say--ut uh don't you dare! I am no way going to hurt the kids! One of the roos walked by her pen and she turned into a beach all, he left smart guy. It takes little to amuse me.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I have another broody! With obviously too many eggs, the four brown ones must have been laid in the last two days, I caught both offenders and took them to the hen house to lay this morning...I would like to remove those, maybe tonight...I fear for my hand..too. I want to give her one more day to sit before I relocate all to the brooder pen...wow...at this rate I definetely need another coop...

 

[stonykill]

Stoney- does she do the claw up in your face thing too? I wonder how they can levitate like that! Pepper is finally starting to listen when i say--ut uh don't you dare! I am no way going to hurt the kids! One of the roos walked by her pen and she turned into a beach all, he left smart guy. It takes little to amuse me.

yup he is a smart guy. Yes she flies 6 feet straight up into my face. She always does this the 1st couple of days after her hatch. I say the same thing every time. "Mama I'm not gonna eat your tiny little babies". In a few days she will stop that. Always has. But at 1st even I'm an issue to her sometimes.

I'll go out with feed early in the morning and Sumatra's will come running and flying out of trees. Straight at me, then when a foot or 2 away land straight down. The 1st couple of times it scared the poop outa me.

Mama a few days ago came out of her shed angry at the world to eat and flew around the house and nearly clipped me in the head. These Sumatra's are flyers.

 

[stonykill]

I have another broody! With obviously too many eggs, the four brown ones must have been laid in the last two days, I caught both offenders and took them to the hen house to lay this morning...I would like to remove those, maybe tonight...I fear for my hand..too. I want to give her one more day to sit before I relocate all to the brooder pen...wow...at this rate I definetely need another coop...

 

[stonykill]

while on the phone with a local BYC'er talking Sumatra's I snapped some pics.

 

[stonykill]

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

They sound amazing, at least they do fly with good accuracy!! Great protection from predators. I like seeing the young ones test their abilities and fly the long haul across the yard instead of running it, they seem to enjoy it as well. My broody girl is about the same, it takes three days to stop threatening me, then maybe I can get some pictures, it's kinda annoying when you go for the cute shot and she tucks them under, I just don't have zoom on this tablet. Today she allowed me to sit in the pen, and other than a glance or two to remind me she's watching me, went on with the usual.