Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Brethren49619]

I haven't had this hen for very long and this is the first time she went broody. Was told she was a good mama, but really don't know anything else.

 

[stonykill]

Do they give up their chicks early? Mine usually start between 3-6 weeks after they have hatched. My barred rock is bored of motherhood and it will be 4 weeks tomorrow. She started squatting a week ago again. I should be getting eggs any day now.

the question was about a broody who was broken of her broodiness NOT one who hatched out lil ones.. So when I BREAK a broody they usually start in a week or 2 of being broken..

 

[bobbieschicks]

I haven't had this hen for very long and this is the first time she went broody. Was told she was a good mama, but really don't know anything else.

It could be her hormones still think the babies are hers and so she is still mothering them. Stony says a couple of weeks - so she could start back any day. Could she also be in a molting season because that can delay laying as well?

You could try the trick of putting red pepper in something like scrambled egg and feeding it to her to see if she jump starts back into laying.

 

[riversedgefarm]

I remove mycochin when she is hatching eggs for me I found it worked best she seemed less stressed

 

[bobbieschicks]

Do they give up their chicks early? Mine usually start between 3-6 weeks after they have hatched. My barred rock is bored of motherhood and it will be 4 weeks tomorrow. She started squatting a week ago again. I should be getting eggs any day now.

Here's what I have observed from my broodies. Starting from the time the chicks hatch the mommas will begin leaving the chicks little by little. They will keep them warm and show them how to be chickens, but usually by the 2nd to 3rd week the babies spend more time on their own then with the momma. By the 4th week the momma will pretty much abandon the babies during the day, but may still keep them warm at night. By the 5th week they are completely independent as the momma returns to the roost and will sometimes even peck the babies away from her. I suppose it's her tough love way of getting them to stand on their own in the pecking order.

If your broody is squatting again you may see eggs soon.

 

[aoxa]

the question was about a broody who was broken of her broodiness NOT one who hatched out lil ones.. So  when I BREAK a broody they usually start in a week or 2 of being broken.. 

Oh okay, Yeah mine are the same in that respect.

But out of curiosity, when do yours give up their kids and go back to the flock?

 

[aoxa]

Here's what I have observed from my broodies.  Starting from the time the chicks hatch the mommas will begin leaving the chicks little by little.  They will keep them warm and show them how to be chickens, but usually by the 2nd to 3rd week the babies spend more time on their own then with the momma.  By the 4th week the momma will pretty much abandon the babies during the day, but may still keep them warm at night.  By the 5th week they are completely independent as the momma returns to the roost and will sometimes even peck the babies away from her.  I suppose it's her tough love way of getting them to stand on their own in the pecking order. 

If your broody is squatting again you may see eggs soon.

She has tried roosting before they were even 2 weeks old, but she wanted them to roost with her

Not pecking them away yet, but not sleeping with them either. She still feeds them, but does not call them to food (she picks food and drops it without noise).

I have 2 moms sharing all these babies, and I ended up putting a heat lamp in the middle of the broody coop at night, because 1 silkie cannot cover 21 RSL chicks

 

[stonykill]

Oh okay, Yeah mine are the same in that respect.
But out of curiosity, when do yours give up their kids and go back to the flock?

it depends on the broody. As little as 3.5 weeks and as long as 12 weeks. The same broody can behave differently every time she goes broody as well.

 

[aoxa]

  it depends on the broody. As little as 3.5 weeks and as long as 12 weeks. The same broody can behave differently every time she goes broody as well. 

Wow 12 weeks. That's one dedicated mother

Longest I had was probably 8 weeks. By that time, the babies pretty much kicked themselves out.

 

[aoxa]

Check out my broody dad showing his kids how to dust bathe like a man He's been in the broody enclosure since day one. You can see one of my current broody's chicks running by midway through. Steve is too bullied by my other roosters, so he helps raise the young ones