Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I've had a few topple off a shelf, usually when i open a door and there they go! I've also caught them in midair, no idea I could move that fast and accurately. I do keep a thick layer of straw and shavings on the floor because accidents happen. It seems to me the last few days of the hatch the hen stays put in the nest...so do the chicks. I move mine because some hens get extra eggs laid in there, and i also want them in a snake proof brooder when I'm not there...the hen can come and go at will once she,s on her shelf. If i had to move them it would be either during the first part of the brood or after fully hatching. I've put four inch ledges around each shelf. I've also had chicks hit the floor with a thud, fortunately OK...but still...it can be a concern. If i had room enough I'd let them all brood on the floor as nature intended.

 

[fredvw]

With all the talk of moving or not mobing hens I figured I would tell how I do it.

In my Silkie coop I use nest boxes on the floor that are not attached. Years ago I bought a couple of plastic stackable drawer units. The outside is about a foot square and theit has a smaller draw (box) that slides in. With a three inch board attached to the open sides of both the outside and the draw I have four nest boxes. I also use the rectangular laundry soap buckets with the center of the top cut out to leave a 2 inch lip on one side. I have a friend who is going to save some of rectangular Kitty Litter buckets for me. I think they are the same size.

With these mobile nest boxes when a hen decides to sit I just pick the nest and all up and move to my small hatching pen. And after a day there she gets the eggs to hatch. It makes it easier to move them. The hens don't seem to stress much as they are still on the nest they started on. I used to use cardboard boxes but they sometimes fall apart at the worst possible times.

 

[Stacykins]

Is it normal for hens to...share chicks?

I hatched six chicks in the incubator (I could have let the hens do it, but these two are newbies), so this morning before the sun came up, I slipped them the new chicks. Each got three. Well, they've been good moms thus far. And seem to be fine with taking care off the other hen's chicks. When I checked on them today, sometimes one hen had five chicks under her and the other one, or they each had three, but different combos, etc.

As long as they raise happy, healthy chicks, I am cool with it. I just don't know if it'll cause any problems.

 

[stonykill]

Is it normal for hens to...share chicks?

I hatched six chicks in the incubator (I could have let the hens do it, but these two are newbies), so this morning before the sun came up, I slipped them the new chicks. Each got three. Well, they've been good moms thus far. And seem to be fine with taking care off the other hen's chicks. When I checked on them today, sometimes one hen had five chicks under her and the other one, or they each had three, but different combos, etc.

As long as they raise happy, healthy chicks, I am cool with it. I just don't know if it'll cause any problems.

sometimes it happens. For me it isn't the norm, but I've had it happen. Curious as to why you wouldn't let newbie moms hatch the eggs? Chickens have hatched eggs for thousands of years before incubators were created. Not picking, just curious why science over nature that's all.

 

[Chicken Tamer]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED my hen will be hatching eggs in 9 days!!!!!!!!!!I hope she acually hatches some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Is it normal for hens to...share chicks?

I hatched six chicks in the incubator (I could have let the hens do it, but these two are newbies), so this morning before the sun came up, I slipped them the new chicks. Each got three. Well, they've been good moms thus far. And seem to be fine with taking care off the other hen's chicks. When I checked on them today, sometimes one hen had five chicks under her and the other one, or they each had three, but different combos, etc.

As long as they raise happy, healthy chicks, I am cool with it. I just don't know if it'll cause any problems.

I had two broodies hatch next to each other on the same days and one mom took all the chicks....all 12! The other mom didn't give up but she stayed a safe distance so she didn't get scolded. After a couple weeks she finally gave up and rejoined the flock. They're both on nests again but ones in the coop and ones in the barn so it'll be interesting to see if they keep them separate this time.

 

[yo burrill]

I have never had a problem moving my broodies right up to hatch time. I put them in a cardboard box about twice the size of the hen so they have room to move the eggs around. Cover the hen with a towel and pick her up. Move the eggs to the box then set momma in the box. Leave the towel right over the box and put the box wherever you want her. Key is to leave the towel over the box overnight till she is settled back in. I have never had a broody leave a nest doing it this way. I do have Banties though who are very strong brooders.

 

[Johnn]

Well if you were closer I'd say the marans and then I'd buy some from you

All those options just depend on your goals. I'm going with dual purpose going forward so I'd choose based on that. I love orps.

Call me stupid but....what does "dual" purpose mean??

 

[Johnn]

I'm up to 55 broody chicks the past two months, and none have had issues with falling. My hen right now is teaching them to roost (seems too early at 2 weeks, doesn't it?) but the ones that don't make it up to the roost, are covered by another broody hen. I love when they share the responsibility.

Im up to 2 Broody chicks in my 4 years :/

 

[aoxa]

Call me stupid but....what does "dual" purpose mean??

Dual purpose means for both eggs and meat.