Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

"mama" being the crazy girl she is took on the Road Runner chick without my intervention. Mama had her 14 up by the RIR's coop, and #15 AKA Roadrunner was there. They are all together now with Mama. She is an amazing broody. Taking care of her 11 and the 4 orphans. 15 lil ones to keep track of. I don't know how she gets all of them under all 3.5 lbs of her, but she does

What a great mama,

 

[Wynette]

What a great mama,

Ditto that! Wow - lots of action on here the last few days!

Frenzie, don't count out porous eggs; I've hatched many without issue!

You guys would have been proud of me; I ran home from work on my lunch hour to put giant ice cubes into the chicken waterers (it's 94 - unseasonably hot here). I noticed that broody Giant hen had pushed 2 eggs about 8" away from her (she's in a broody hutch, which is 20" wide x 4' long). She's done this several times since going broody and me giving her eggs, and each time I see this, I tuck the eggs back under her. Well....this time, I left them. After reading so much on this thread, I realize that in heat like this, sometimes they need to cool them off a bit. So I'm hoping that's what she's doing with these 2 eggs. It's weird, because I NEVER see her move. I'll see her butt facing out one time, and her front facing out next, but I have not once actually see her move. It makes me curious about how she gets the eggs out like that - they are side by side, about 8" away from her.

 

[Johnn]

 

[aaggjg]

So I just got back to town from my business trip and my broody hen Caesar is still sitting tight ..... I can not remember when I gave her eggs and well what is under there .... I think my chicken sitter took one of the last eggs I gave her out thinking it was newly laid as I forgot to mark it ....My fault I know ....

I left on the 22nd of June and its the 6th so that is at least 14 days ..... I know she had them for a few days before I left but no idea when I gave her the new ones as the 1st ones were duds..... I guess I could candle or just sit back and wait ... hmmmmm

While I was gone my chicks in the pen grew a TON OMG THEY ARE HUGE!!!! And well as luck would have it mostly boys!!!! I have a knack for hatching boys.... 2 silkies I can not tell sex but of the other 8 I would say at least 5 boys... YEP just my luck!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sweet pics Johnn

 

[farmer boy]

how old are the silkie chicks ???

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Farmerboy- yes, the ice cubes are a trick to break a broody...it may not stop her though, some don't want to quit.
I am glad my two confined broodies are getting along good right now, they do flock together, both got off the nests at the same time an ate without a problem, then went back on their nests...hope it continues...I think the heat is a bit much but they seem to be OK, no panting and staying cool..Moe used to get off and eat at nine am, but she hasn't yesterday...maybe getting close.
The remaining orphans are doing well. Lucy was definity the culprit and Max growls and keeps her away from the brooder, the chicks are eating well, sleeping great but cry to be snuggled into the nest, and then sleep. Yes, there they are calling again.

 

[farmer boy]

lol .. she hasn't gone back in the nest i brought one out i was just testing her but i guess i shouldn't have used a colder one but i made a little box thing for her to go and sleep in she has been out for a few hours like 2 and a half its pretty warm out today so could that effect it ??

 

[Miss Lydia]

lol .. she hasn't gone back in the nest i brought one out i was just testing her but i guess i shouldn't have used a colder one but i made a little box thing for her to go and sleep in she has been out for a few hours like 2 and a half its pretty warm out today so could that effect it ??

She maybe just testing the waters so to speak, when they first start getting the urge they will sometimes sleep in the nest box or you'll find them in it a different times of the day then all of a sudden you can't budge them off the nest. you'll just have to wait her out and see. Is she still laying? if she is she isn't ready yet.

 

[farmer boy]

well it only has been a day but tomorrow if there are 3 more bantam eggs then shes not ready .. i can't wait until my silkies grow up gonna be awesome