Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I'm not sure what plan b will be if there are no chicks or chicks only hatch for one broody.
Topsy has been sitting the longest but she's not showing any signs of chicks. Except that she's covered herself with pine shavings today.

Trying to picture this without cracking up. Why in the world would she do that??

 

[bobbieschicks]

Went out to take a pic - she's shaken most of them back off. Maybe because she's ready to hatch? Maybe she was feeling vulnerable? Not sure.

 

[Johnn]

Went out to take a pic - she's shaken most of them back off. Maybe because she's ready to hatch? Maybe she was feeling vulnerable? Not sure.

shes so cute, i really need to get a silkie!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok, I just went out to check on the chicks and found this... three hens in the nest box. I had made it so the chicks could not easily get out of the box but that does not prevent the other hens from getting in. That or one of the chicks had a tremenous growth spurt overnight. I had 4 fully dried off chicks yesterday at late afternoon. What are the chances that more eggs will hatch? Today is day 22 I guess.
eta: From left: Columbian Wyandotte, almost all white EE & then the tall one is a Light Brahma.

Where are the chicks at,which hen? Okay went back and read it all, good idea moving mama and chicks to their on space, being smooshed would probably happen eventually.

 

[Johnn]

Ok, I just went out to check on the chicks and found this... three hens in the nest box. I had made it so the chicks could not easily get out of the box but that does not prevent the other hens from getting in. That or one of the chicks had a tremenous growth spurt overnight. I had 4 fully dried off chicks yesterday at late afternoon. What are the chances that more eggs will hatch? Today is day 22 I guess.
eta: From left: Columbian Wyandotte, almost all white EE & then the tall one is a Light Brahma.

so what are you going to do with the other hen? because she will still want the chicks too wont she?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I have a chick! She hatched maybe an hour ago. She was still wet when I saw her!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Went out to take a pic - she's shaken most of them back off. Maybe because she's ready to hatch? Maybe she was feeling vulnerable? Not sure.

I think she is trying to build up the nest, try giving her more shavings, sometimes with all the rolling and moving they work their way down to floor - no cushion left.

 

[fshinggrl]

so what are you going to do with the other hen? because she will still want the chicks too wont she?

Well, the thing is that we have a duck egg that needs someone to hatch it. So, I'm hoping that the wyandotte will settle for laying on that egg a little more. I think the chicks stay under the hen on the right, the Brahma. She gets all puffed up if I am there looking for too long.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I think she is trying to build up the nest, try giving her more shavings, sometimes with all the rolling and moving they work their way down to floor - no cushion left.

Maybe but she has a bunch of shavings she's shoved against the walls and over by the door.

 

[Tripp16]

One more week!! 7 days until my Henriettas eggs hatch (only two) but I think only one is growing...

Anyways! Someone asked a while back what type of eggs my duck is sitting and its 1 Cayuga and 2 Rouens. She keeps stealing my other ducks eggs so I have to feed them and sneak the extra eggs out.