Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Achickenwrangler#1]

With the first broody I had no idea what to do, so I just watched and left her alone, after three days she had moved the chicks and left behind some eggs...I left them for a few more days until the broody began to vigerously kick apart the nest, flinging old eggs everywhere! Whoa- I jumped in and removed the left behind...now I remove everything when the broody moves her chicks and abandons the nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

YES!!! She is setting like nothing changed! eeee

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Here is a pic of me being the broody hand to the orphans...they were sleeping while standing, looking lost so i scooped them together into a 'nest' so they finally got some much needed rest.

 

[Wynette]

CONGRATS, Johnn!

prairie - beautiful babies, congrats!

 

[Johnn]

I don't know weather to put melow in the broody shed because hse will just be a bully

 

[bobbieschicks]

I don't have anywhere else to move her to. My only other thought was a one of the medium dog crates we have. And I would have to do that today, but she will have to stay in the same spot.

That sounds like a good plan. I'd let the eggs sit for 24 hours after they arrive inside your house to let the yolk sac stabilize. In the interim move her into that crate tonight in the coop

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

After the nap, all got encouraged to eat then tucked back into a make shift nest for more sleep.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Third one is out! I'm really concerned though, it was supposed to hatch tomorrow but think it heard the other chicks peeping so it wanted to come put sooner.

Anyway it has.....convulsions

like it wants to throw up. The shell was Really bloody too. I'm thinking it was to early.
Other than that it seems fine, its eyes are open and cheeping to mama.
I hope it will be fine.

 

[Johnn]

 

[Wynette]

Johnn - super sweet pics!

wranger - that white/yellow chick with the black head spots is super cute!

SFE - gosh, that's odd - I've never had a chick hatch having convulsions...I hope the poor little one makes it. They don't typically hatch "too early" - at least not to the point it sounds like this one did. Here's hoping it does okay!