Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[perchie.girl]

my broody Mama is just an amazing Mama. I always provide fresh water for any mama and babies even though they all free range. Well so far anyway they do. I have 2 broody's sitting in a coop/enclosed run. But I digress. Mama, who is a professional in my eyes passes by the supplied water and brings her 11 lil ones to a mud puddle to drink. As if to say to them "we need to be self sufficient" . If I didn't have so much to do today I would do nothing but watch her and her 11 lil ones.

Mud hole probably is loaded with good 'biotics for chickie tummys too.

deb

 

[Johnn]

Yes!, I broke the orpington! today i put some mixed corn in her trough then nocked her off her nest and she dived straight into it and was gobbling it up!

 

[Wynette]

Hi, fellow broody lovers!

I've been not posting for a bit because I'm a bit depressed about my broodies this year. First one, silver penciled rock, failed to hatch any. 8 of 10 eggs developed, but I think she just spent too much time off the nest.

Second broody, which I've posted pics of, is a splash Jersey Giant hen. First time she's ever been broody (she's 2), but she seemed determined to set......for the first few days. Sigh. Then, I kept finding:



Sigh.....it's been in the 90s this past week, so I'm hoping that maybe it's warm enough with them beside her, or that she's rotating the ones underneath her to outside, etc. But....she started with 10 eggs, and she's slowly either eating them or smashing/eating. She is now down to 6.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Naima's family of 3 ....



Although it's still only day 22, there was no action at all overnight and Naima is pretty restless on those 5 remaining eggs. The 3 chicks she does have are on the move and stressing her. I've listened to the eggs and tapped. Didn't hear a thing. I'll leave them another day, assuming she continues to sit on them, but I think we may be done. I couldn't be more thrilled with the 3 I do have - got my ever so coveted splash, against ALL odds, and swanky feathered legs on the other 2. I couldn't ask for more!!

What a stink eye she gave you. they are so cute, Congrats!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi, fellow broody lovers!

I've been not posting for a bit because I'm a bit depressed about my broodies this year. First one, silver penciled rock, failed to hatch any. 8 of 10 eggs developed, but I think she just spent too much time off the nest.

Second broody, which I've posted pics of, is a splash Jersey Giant hen. First time she's ever been broody (she's 2), but she seemed determined to set......for the first few days. Sigh. Then, I kept finding:



Sigh.....it's been in the 90s this past week, so I'm hoping that maybe it's warm enough with them beside her, or that she's rotating the ones underneath her to outside, etc. But....she started with 10 eggs, and she's slowly either eating them or smashing/eating. She is now down to 6.

Wow Wynette sorry she has only 6 left. she could be rotating them, I noticed my duck standing up over her eggs yesterday it was 94*

 

[Miss Lydia]

She left them. They were all clear. She is in major-league mother mode now!!!!

She has an ACTIVE trio!!!!

Isn't it amazing how they know these things.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes!, I broke the orpington! today i put some mixed corn in her trough then nocked her off her nest and she dived straight into it and was gobbling it up!

No chicks Johnn? glad she is eating again bless her heart.

 

[Wynette]

glad she is eating again bless her heart.

DITTO THAT!

BG - congrats on the chicks! Naima's not a Davis hen, is she?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

How mesmerizing is it to sit and watch the broody wth chicks...it's where I have my coffee. I do feel lucky to have a good broody hen, it looks like one of the chicks will look like her. Today they are doing alot better at hopping through the weeds and diving to get the good treats mama digs up....she likes them to be very competetive I think. I never thought I'd get such chick raising gals...every time I contemplate getting an incubator, I just stop and think, I could never do such a good job,...no need to mess with it now.

 

[Wynette]

How mesmerizing is it to sit and watch the broody wth chicks...it's where I have my coffee. I do feel lucky to have a good broody hen, it looks like one of the chicks will look like her. Today they are doing alot better at hopping through the weeds and diving to get the good treats mama digs up....she likes them to be very competetive I think. I never thought I'd get such chick raising gals...every time I contemplate getting an incubator, I just stop and think, I could never do such a good job,...no need to mess with it now.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just kidding - I'm so happy for you! Hey, maybe we can do a conference call - have your broodies call mine, and let them know what they're doing wrong!