Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Wynette]

Thanks for the feedback on putting two broodies with chicks together after hatching. I think I'll try it and see if they get along, and I do have a way I can separate the stall in half in case there are issues. I was just hoping to have just ONE large feeder and waterer to contend with rather than 4, but we'll see how it works. Thanks!

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Love the color of the girl on the left. Is she a Polish?

Bearded Buff Laced Polish -- Daisy

 

[bobbieschicks]

Bearded Buff Laced Polish -- Daisy

She's absolutely beautiful.

 

[miss blue]

they are hatching not due till tomorrow mumma hen is doing well with her first eggs

 

[Wynette]

Tick tock, waiting forever for the last two to hatch their impossibly large clutch. One is the broody from the poarch...i had locked her in for three days, after making sure she was well into her set....day five had her wandering the poarch looking for her nest, I had one opportunity to catch her and just barely got a hold of a foot...back to the pen..this time she stayed put but neither of them have budged...I know they are alive...I keep checking and asking them. When?

It seems like we chicken folks are constantly waiting. Waiting for eggs to hatch. Waiting for juveniles to grow up and get their adult feathers. Waiting for pullets' first eggs. Waiting for said eggs to become fertile. Wait, wait, wait! Hang in there!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

To give her them all or not, that is the question! I have four mixed breed LF eggs and four Silkie eggs. I can fit two eggs in the little incubator but I would much rather give all the eggs to Summer. What do you guys think? Summer is a bantam brahma and easily handled eight of her own eggs. The LF eggs are larger than hers but the Silkie eggs are smaller than hers.

Thoughts? I plan on swapping out the eggs tonight.

 

[Tanichca]

It seems that every time I go on retreat with my teen group, I have eggs due to hatch! First batch is on Monday... I get back from retreat Sunday night, hopefully.

It's really hot today, could that hurt the broodies?

 

[Wynette]

Burbs, if it was me, I'd give them all to your Summer.

 

[bobbieschicks]

To give her them all or not, that is the question! I have four mixed breed LF eggs and four Silkie eggs. I can fit two eggs in the little incubator but I would much rather give all the eggs to Summer. What do you guys think? Summer is a bantam brahma and easily handled eight of her own eggs. The LF eggs are larger than hers but the Silkie eggs are smaller than hers.
Thoughts? I plan on swapping out the eggs tonight.

She could probably handle that number of eggs. I've mixed sizes in a bator and had a successful hatch, I just haven't had success mixing the sizes together under a broody. Last time I mixed sizes I gave Topsy and Smokey each some Silky eggs and some Maran eggs. Only the Silky eggs hatched. The Maran eggs were shipped eggs from a questionable source.

Maybe others have had success with mixed sizes under a broody.

 

[bobbieschicks]

It seems that every time I go on retreat with my teen group, I have eggs due to hatch! First batch is on Monday... I get back from retreat Sunday night, hopefully. 

It's really hot today, could that hurt the broodies? 

Possibly, but if she's in good health she may be just fine. Make sure she's drinking water, maybe add ice to it. Provide some electrolytes if she looks pink or pale. And trust her to do her job hatching those chickies.