Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

well the chicks are 7 weeks old today, i wanted mostly them to eat the growers pellets so i put corn in the other hens favouraite feeders so the chicks couldn't get to it and they were so upset about having to eat the pellets so i give in and threw them a handful of corn. One of the other hens went over to the feeder and started pecking them so i grabbed the orp and put her over there and she chased that hen away. The chicks are going to have to learn to eat them because when this bag of corn runs out tomorrow that's all they are going to get!

I thought pellets were for much older chicks - like around 16 weeks or so because of the size of the pellets and the difficulty of eating them. Do you make it into mash or just feed them as pellets? If the babies aren't eating the pellets you could try crushing them down to a smaller crumble size first. Just put them into something - pillow case, plastic bag - and crush with either a hammer or something heavy enough to crumble them down. Don't hit too many times - but enough to break some up. If it's getting cold where you are they may want some corn to keep warm inside. I can't believe those babies are already 7 weeks old! Where does the time go!

 

[bobbieschicks]

And here's the baby turken-
-

Adorable!

 

[Johnn]

Maybe I should ask on this thread:

I have just two happy hens. I know all hens have their own personalities, but as a rule should my buff hen be okay when my blue's babies hatch?
Or should I definitely be separating the broody/eggs/babies with an enclosure in the coop?

Also do you think this nest box is too small? I do.
I had the eggs in the blue tray but one was rolled out from under her on the 1st day, as if the tray was too big.
Should I wait until the chicks hatch and then immediately take out the green box?
Should I move the green box now so the chicks don't become pancakes?

My two broodies did NOT get along when they were sitting, they were in two different sheds but when they hatched i put Melow into the broody coop with the orp and they joined as one Melow has left everyone now so the orp took on her chick, Melow is still soft on the orp and she wont peck her anymore (she always pecks hens shes above), and she will some times go back with the orp and the chicks to go for a walk

 

[Johnn]

I thought pellets were for much older chicks - like around 16 weeks or so because of the size of the pellets and the difficulty of eating them. Do you make it into mash or just feed them as pellets? If the babies aren't eating the pellets you could try crushing them down to a smaller crumble size first. Just put them into something - pillow case, plastic bag - and crush with either a hammer or something heavy enough to crumble them down. Don't hit too many times - but enough to break some up. If it's getting cold where you are they may want some corn to keep warm inside. I can't believe those babies are already 7 weeks old! Where does the time go!

i did try crushing them but.... i used my had which hurt and didn't put them into that small peices. They were picking up little bits of it but not alot i will try crush them to crumble size. I dont see why they need the warmth! they are still getting it off there mam and when there in the feild they keep on cheeping so she gives in and plonks her self down and off they go under her wings!

 

[Johnn]

Maybe I should ask on this thread:

I have just two happy hens. I know all hens have their own personalities, but as a rule should my buff hen be okay when my blue's babies hatch?
Or should I definitely be separating the broody/eggs/babies with an enclosure in the coop?

Also do you think this nest box is too small? I do.
I had the eggs in the blue tray but one was rolled out from under her on the 1st day, as if the tray was too big.
Should I wait until the chicks hatch and then immediately take out the green box?
Should I move the green box now so the chicks don't become pancakes?

also Melows nest box was just as small as that and she did fine hatching, but then i took her to the broody coop anyways so she had more room.

 

[Glasshen]

Pretty soon she will not want to be bothered by them and will chase them away in a not at all maternal way. I got a. Bag of the wrong feed and used the blender to chop it up. They couldn't manage the pellets as they were.

 

[ll]

Thank you so much for posting bobbie!

I really value the opinions.
Also, my hens are best friends - I'm looking forward to them both walking with the chicks.

 

[ll]

Thank you so much for posting the photo Johnn! *nods* our nesting boxes are the same size.
I think I'll wait until they hatch then take the green thing away.

also Melows nest box was just as small as that and she did fine hatching, but then i took her to the broody coop anyways so she had more room.

 

[Johnn]

OMG! guys guess what i have been offered its like heaven!, i can have any of these layers, broodies OR hens WITH chicks!, what should i choose?!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

OMG! guys guess what i have been offered its like heaven!, i can have any of these layers, broodies OR hens WITH chicks!, what should i choose?!!

Cool!