Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

Well yesterday was day 11for my mixed bag of eggs, 15 Black Jersey Giants one silver Silkie and 4 Blue Orpington. The orps and silkie were extra eggs because the lady I got them from was a couple of eggs short on the Giants.and wanted to mail them to me the day they were layed The 1st egg I candled was clear and all I thought was here we go again but the next 3 were good. Even the Silkie showed promise. Not going to candle all until next week so as not to disturb anything or cull too soon.Still no broody birds so the incubator it is but I got an idea off of other posts, I plan to put in the  coop the layer box the two Orpingtons have used with the fake eggs they like. If not I need to set up the truck tool box and a light for the potential chicks.
Interesting side note. Yesterday I was cleaning out a turkey coop and moved a tote outside. It had 6 good size worms that i scooped up and put in with the Giant chicks and the Red Rangers, the Rangers just looked like deer in the headlights but the Giants went nuts and ate well. And the rangers are 4 weeks older!

Haha those Rangers! Isn't it just annoying when you need a broody and no one wants to sit.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Again, I said sometimes they will. This is with silkies. Never, ever had issues with adding older chicks. I have done it twice this year. First time was with 2 week old chicks when the mother didn't end up hatching a single egg. She took to them right away.

This was with a cochin hen. This is the day after I added them. I was surprised with how well these houdans knew to keep warm. Usually I would expect them to get upset and want away, but they liked her from the get-go.

Awh so adorable. Yes it's a chance and I think it's based on temperament and size of both the chicks and the hen as to whether it will work or not. I'm pretty much convinced my Silky will momma anything she's given, she LOVES being a momma.

 

[bobbieschicks]

 Iv'e kind of been put off hatching with a incy now , people say the chicks produce alot of dust etc, im debating weather to still do it or just leave it to the hens?

Don't get discouraged about hatching in a bator. That's not the messy part. The messy part is brooding the chicks. If you could make a secure brooder for outside, in a garage or shed, you wouldn't have to worry about the dust. It does get dusty even if you keep it cleaned out. Especially if you have several chicks. I used a plastic tub with pine shavings and it got mighty dusty fast.

 

[Johnn]

Don't get discouraged about hatching in a bator. That's not the messy part. The messy part is brooding the chicks. If you could make a secure brooder for outside, in a garage or shed, you wouldn't have to worry about the dust. It does get dusty even if you keep it cleaned out. Especially if you have several chicks. I used a plastic tub with pine shavings and it got mighty dusty fast.

There is no were out the house to have a brooder, the garage has cars and motor bikes in and the shed is filled with logs :/, im probablies just going to leave it to the hens but for some reason i don't like selling from my flock incase they have something secret wrong with them then the chicks take it to the new owners and i get the blame, I worry about such silly things...

 

[Johnn]

I hope my BO's chick this year is a girl because she might go broody too next year , Im hoping to have 2 broodys, one ot sit on duck eggs the other hens. If the orp is one of teh two then she will get the most eggs.

 

[3 NH reds]

Awh so adorable. Yes it's a chance and I think it's based on temperament and size of both the chicks and the hen as to whether it will work or not. I'm pretty much convinced my Silky will momma anything she's given, she LOVES being a momma.

And if looks could kill no Human near that broody would be around to talk

 

[aoxa]

Awh so adorable. Yes it's a chance and I think it's based on temperament and size of both the chicks and the hen as to whether it will work or not. I'm pretty much convinced my Silky will momma anything she's given, she LOVES being a momma.

Silkies LOVE being mamas that's for sure. Mine was determined to hatch air until I gave her eggs. They sure are silly birds

 

[CarolJ]

Thanks for the replies about whether or not one of my broodies would accept the incubator chick. I figured the sooner the better - so as soon as I went out to the coop this morning, I got the chick and set it down with the other chicks that were racing all around the broodies in the coop. The little chick stood there for a few moments looking confused - then joined in the fun. The broody looked at it and went back to pecking at the food. I checked back a little later, and the chick seems like part of the crowd. Another check a couple hours later - and the chick was snuggled with the others under the broody hen. So all is well. This broody is the most easy-going thing imaginable!

 

[Johnn]

Thanks for the replies about whether or not one of my broodies would accept the incubator chick. I figured the sooner the better - so as soon as I went out to the coop this morning, I got the chick and set it down with the other chicks that were racing all around the broodies in the coop. The little chick stood there for a few moments looking confused - then joined in the fun. The broody looked at it and went back to pecking at the food. I checked back a little later, and the chick seems like part of the crowd. Another check a couple hours later - and the chick was snuggled with the others under the broody hen. So all is well. This broody is the most easy-going thing imaginable!

that's so i nice to hear!, the chick will love having a mama and brothers and sisters

 

[Johnn]

i could not help but laugh at this!!!, its a hen with ducklings and the real mother and father ducks of the eggs come over and one duckling starts fighting them!!