Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[fshinggrl]

Why do you want to separate them from it though? If you are worried about it affecting the hens eggs, it won't. If you just want to keep the baby food for the babies, you need to be creative.

Yes, I thought that the medicated food would affect the eggs. It doesn't??? Thanks for your response.

 

[Johnn]

So, here is the question I forgot. How do you keep the chicks' feed (medicated starter) away from the laying hens?

Why dont you get a non medicated one??

 

[bobbieschicks]

um one of my hens are sitting I think on 4 eggs, should I take her off or leave her? I just had 11 babies 2 months ago :/

It's totally up to you and your girl. If she's young and strong go for it.

My Topsy has hatched two clutches this spring. And my Smokey has hatched 3.

They take off five to seven weeks after hatching then start right back up again.

 

[aoxa]

I suppose you could set up something over the feeder with gaps big enough for the babies to fit through but small enough that the hens won't fit. I saw an interesting solution to that once; gal used a pappasan frame flipped upside down.
Why do you want to separate them from it though? If you are worried about it affecting the hens eggs, it won't. If you just want to keep the baby food for the babies, you need to be creative. :/

I have a RSL who gets into the medicated feed and her eggs are still eaten. The food is $2 more expensive a bag here though.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Well, it appears that one of my hen's has decided it's already time to try and hatch some eggs.  She's only 5 months old, so it kinda caught me off guard!  LOL 

I ended up moving her a couple nights ago into the brooder pen since the other hens kept trying to lay in her nest box.  She's doing pretty good I suppose!  Growls at anyone or anything coming near the pen (which I think is adorable)!  She's got 10 eggs under her and I'm expecting baby chicks around the 29th or 30th.  Nice B-day gift for me (28th)!  LOL 

I have a mix of red's & buff orps under a New Hampshire roo so we'll just have to see what happens!  They're all hatchery stock, so I'm not too concerned with purity of breed.  Would be nice to get a few roo's that I won't have to feel bad about sending to freezer camp!  I just hate the thought of sending hens there until they've fulfilled their purpose of laying eggs.

Should I candle the eggs or just leave momma to be alone and let her do her thing?

I like to candle around the 7th day. That way anything that is clear I know I can toss as not developing. Otherwise I try not to disturb the eggs until day 14 to see who may be hatching soon. You can wait and see what you get. With that many to start you don't have to check as most likely some eggs will be fertile. I get shipped eggs usually. This last clutch was shipped and our mutt eggs. Two of four shipped hatched, two of three mutts hatched.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have a RSL who gets into the medicated feed and her eggs are still eaten. The food is $2 more expensive a bag here though.

We eat the eggs without issue too. My pullets have layer feed, so they are chosing to et the chick grower feed. My chicks however are smart enough to leave the layer feed alone.

I don't freak out about mixed flock eating each others feed, it happens, but usually they don't eat much of it.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Just let her, she can do it. I think Bobbiechicks two hens smokey and topsy have hatched their second cluth this year...

Yes Topsy jut hatched her 2nd and Smokey her 3rd.

 

[aoxa]

Yes Topsy jut hatched her 2nd and Smokey her 3rd.

I'm on my 2nd as well

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Thanks for the responses about BroodZilla.
I successfully moved Mum and the appropriate eggs to the designated broody pen, and after a tense few minutes for all, she ate, pooed and then found the eggs. She sat down, like nothing ever happened.
Aside from some minor injuries to me, it seems all is well.
Thanks again for the advice.
On a side note, the rest of the hens are delighted to have the Premium nesting box back for laying their own eggs!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Yes, I thought that the medicated food would affect the eggs.  It doesn't???  Thanks for your response.

The additive in the medicated feed never leaves the digestive tract so it doesn't get into the eggs.