Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Moe decided to bring her chicks over and show them to me this morning while I was having coffee. She hopped up on the poarch walked them around my chair, looked me in the eye, then walked them off, showing off their flying abilities of a huge 2 foot jump. guess she has decided I'm trustworthy!

 

[3 NH reds]

From all that is said about Leg Horns I would wait. But I never had a Leg Horn so perhaps someone who has will chime in. I did Move my Orpington once my 2nd coop was built but Orpingtons are known to be broody

 

[aoxa]

Moe decided to bring her chicks over and show them to me this morning while I was having coffee. She hopped up on the poarch walked them around my chair, looked me in the eye, then walked them off, showing off their flying abilities of a huge 2 foot jump. guess she has decided I'm trustworthy!

That's adorable

Question for everyone. Do you stop feeding scratch while a hen is brooding chicks? Everything I've heard suggests NEVER feed chicks scratch, but I feed everyone a variety treats, including some cracked corn. If you don't have a separate enclosure, do you just avoid feeding treats?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I've had to move a few broodies, and as always suggested on this thread it's best to cover them with a towel and move at night. I move them into a brooder big enough so they can get off the nest and eat drink and poop, because I lock them in for at least three days...even so, they may go back to the old nest site looking for the eggs, an addional few days fixes this. Then I let them come and go at will.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I feed fermented scratch to everyone. The broody gives it to the chicks but she breaks the corn into smaller pieces for them. They have starter too. The fermented grain is much softer than dry and they are doing very well on it. In the winter I keep dry grower/maintainence feed as free choice when there aren't so many bugs. Today is the first day for new hatches to go outside and learn to hunt.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

i think the whole thing not to feed scratch to chicks may be started from those kept in a coop...they need grit to digest and grind the grains, starter just disolves in the crop. So as long as they can hunt and pick up grit they are fine to eat anything.

 

[aoxa]

i think the whole thing not to feed scratch to chicks may be started from those kept in a coop...they need grit to digest and grind the grains, starter just disolves in the crop. So as long as they can hunt and pick up grit they are fine to eat anything.

That's good to know! I always offer grit free choice even if they are just on starter. They seem to like it either way

What age should I feel safe letting my two hens out with their 21 babies. Will they be able to keep track of them all?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

My dominent hen stays with flock from day one. The others can have a week or so on their own, it's mainly for their own protection as I've had predator issues last month and the hen will take them right into the woods where predators lurk. I generally give them a good week until they can fly and run. I don't have any issues with them being in the flock as mama can and does keep track of them! How, I'll never know...I can't even count them all...but she does! My brooder opens to an outdoor pen, and inside to the coop. I will just leave the gate open and when the hen wants to she'll take them around, then she come back through the main door and nest in the usual spot. One hen I had would just look at the open gate and walk off, for weeks, I guess she liked being on vacation. I think alot depends on your flock too, if they aren't aggressive it will be fine. Some minor squabbles but they all seem to know exactly who belongs where.

 

[Johnn]

Melow has me confused, shes was not with the chicks again today but if i pick them up and they peep she will come after me!

 

[Johnn]

Its kind of good the orpington has both now, because they are both rightfully hers