Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

I was also wondering, Melow and the orp both have just lied down all day with there chicks under them is that normal?, should they not be active and up?

 

[bobbieschicks]

I found out why it's so hot here in Virginia.

Two of my lavender orpingtons have plucked their breast feathers and screeched at me from the nest boxes. I said I didn't care and that they are NOT going broody!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Wow, never heard of a broody going 5 weeks. How common, or not, is that???
I double checked on Summer, she had blatantly kicked out two of the eggs so I brought them in to the cruddy little bator I bought this morning. It's that little plastic thing with tinfoil and a tiny light bulb. Figure it's a shot for them anyway. I am trying to keep the temp right now. Ended up putting exta foil in the bottom and a piece of foil on top of the dome too. It's sitting right at 100 right now. Glad she didn't ditch three or I wouldn't have room for the thermometer!

Some people use their yogurt makers as make shift bators.

My Topsy sat for 2 weeks before getting fertile eggs that hatched 3 weeks later, so not that uncommon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was also wondering, Melow and the orp both have just lied down all day with there chicks under them is that normal?, should they not be active and up?

How old are the chicks now, it is usually day 3 before they bring them out so you should start to see some action on their part tomorrow if it's day 3.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I found out why it's so hot here in Virginia.

Two of my lavender orpingtons have plucked their breast feathers and screeched at me from the nest boxes. I said I didn't care and that they are NOT going broody!

Oh my gosh Bobbies thats alot of strange weather happening up your way. My dad is heading out to Charlottesville on Tues to visit my brother. Better tell him what he's in store for.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

bobbieschicks - any idea how that volcano is going to affect me in WV?? What's this about using a yogurt maker for incubator? Will you tell me how that works? Just in case of emergency...?

 

[stonykill]

I have another RIR acting VERY broody. Puffed up, running around generally angry at everything and everyone. She is my biggest one. I'd guess she goes 9 lbs. Big girl. I'll be SHOCKED if she sits, but it is humorous

. But of course you know I'll enable her with ceramic eggs

. Just in case

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have another RIR acting VERY broody. Puffed up, running around generally angry at everything and everyone. She is my biggest one. I'd guess she goes 9 lbs. Big girl. I'll be SHOCKED if she sits, but it is humorous

. But of course you know I'll enable her with ceramic eggs

. Just in case

9lbs. wow that sounds like my Brahma hen, but she has never gone broody and she is going on 3 yrs now. [hatchery stock] Well aren't you the lucky one stony guess we'll have to think up some kind of broody enablers award for ya.

I am down to the wire now 1 more bantam sitting on eggs due this coming week, and Faith sitting on hatching duck eggs. I got to peek this morning but it wasn't easy. there was some good size pips in her eggs, so now I am just waiting and hoping they hatch. she is so far down in the nest box when they hatch out I don't know how they'd breathe.

 

[stonykill]

9lbs. wow that sounds like my Brahma hen, but she has never gone broody and she is going on 3 yrs now. [hatchery stock] Well aren't you the lucky one stony guess we'll have to think up some kind of broody enablers award for ya.

I am down to the wire now 1 more bantam sitting on eggs due this coming week, and Faith sitting on hatching duck eggs. I got to peek this morning but it wasn't easy. there was some good size pips in her eggs, so now I am just waiting and hoping they hatch. she is so far down in the nest box when they hatch out I don't know how they'd breathe.

I'm guessing on the weight, but my big RIR's are really big. much bigger than my hatchery stock reds. These big girls are from a chicken farm that used to belong to a friends uncle. 50 or 60 years of breeding on the farm. Made for big girls who lay eggs, at least most of them about the size of my Pekin eggs.

Of course I hope she sits. You all KNOW that. But after 7 years of RIR's and my 1st broody one, 2 in a year would be wierd. This girls has been acting like this for a few days.

i'd have to share an enabler medal with Tripp. He is just as guilty

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

I'm not even joking... my broody's sat for 2 months before I put the eggs in. But... they were sitting on golf balls.