Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ll]

I offered mine blueberries and oats often during the incubation.
I also made her go out (gently lifted off nest) to poop/eat/drink/dust-bathe every other day. I timed these outings on a clock - no more than 15 minutes each time.
I covered the eggs with a clean dry dishtowel while she was off them, in an attempt to keep the warmth in.
I did not make her leave the nest to eat during the last week of sitting.
Some say the hen will stop eating when she locks herself down (the last 3 days before hatch date) but mine gobbled up a whole bowl the night before one hatched. After they hatched, during the first 24 hours, I also offered her food & drink, and she ate/drank.
If it's her first time like mine ~ don't let her starve, she might not know -shrugs- I was scared to lose mine so I made sure she ate, which she did happily and heartily each opportunity. Best of luck with yours!

I have a girl being broody at 26 weeks old. I put 7 eggs under her, plus she laid one the day she committed. 8 eggs and she is holding strong. She is a Basque hen (Euskal Oiloa)
If she sits the whole time she we should have chicks on sept 25th. Any basic advice for a broody pullet? I am taking the stance that she knows more than me and will do her best. I put some food in her box and I think she ate some, but my guess is she will get off when she needs too and do her business. Should I keep giving her food? I'm trying to leave her in the nesting box she decide to set on. I do plan on being around when the chicks should hatch and moving her and them to their own space to avoid attacks from others.
Any advice you have is welcome.
Thanks

 

[karlamaria]

I have a girl being broody at 26 weeks old. I put 7 eggs under her, plus she laid one the day she committed. 8 eggs and she is holding strong. She is a Basque hen (Euskal Oiloa)
If she sits the whole time she we should have chicks on sept 25th. Any basic advice for a broody pullet? I am taking the stance that she knows more than me and will do her best. I put some food in her box and I think she ate some, but my guess is she will get off when she needs too and do her business. Should I keep giving her food? I'm trying to leave her in the nesting box she decide to set on. I do plan on being around when the chicks should hatch and moving her and them to their own space to avoid attacks from others.
Any advice you have is welcome.
Thanks

I took my girl off her nest every day, made sure she ate pooped and drank lots. She ate grass, fed well and with in 15 minutes she was back on the nest. I did this every day until day 19 when I left her alone to sit. I offered her food and water, and cool fruits and veggies. She most liked scrambled eggs and some yogurt . The fruit was because she would not get up to drink, this way she got fluids in. ( grapes watermellon)

 

[Johnn]

9 weeks old tomorrow!

 

[Johnn]

9 weeks old tomorrow!

oh and are they big enough for 9 week ols?? i keep thinking they are abit too small...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Adventures in Broodies:
Today Tilda had the baby flock out in the yard free-ranging. They won't be a week old til tomorrow.
She did such a splendid job of keeping everyone organized, and protecting them. My fat black cat got a litle too close and she scared the living daylights out of him. He has never been attacked by a chicken before. He had no interest in stalking the chooks, but she didn't know that. Lawd'a'mercy, he will never get that close again!

The biggest drama was when a chook got separated from the group when she took the brood inside the coop. I have never heard louder peeping in my life! I ran out of the house to discover her running around in the forest behind the coop! I tried to corner and catch her, but she can fit thru the pen wire, so she just kept running out, and around the coop, and back again. I finally was able to nab the plucky little thing and return her to her Mamma.
Phew!

Every day is an adventure when you let Moms raise peeps.

So cute!

 

[Miss Lydia]

oh and are they big enough for 9 week ols?? i keep thinking they are abit too small...

Very pretty pics Johnn, they look very healthy too.

 

[Johnn]

Very pretty pics Johnn, they look very healthy too.

thanks

 

[3 NH reds]

we gave her eggs last time and she hatched out 2, I took away the others as it was days longer and well there was chicks in them so this time hands off. she is an amazing mama, and her sister henny penny is also broody today lol, wish I had known, I gave all the extra fertilized eggs to neighbors last nigh now off to the local town to get more lol. I will go buy this acv and try it on her, she needs nurishment ! we try to feed her or water her, she is not havign it. So tonight Im lifting her off to go out to poop and eat and drink. we had to do that before every day to.then she hops right back on.

Apple cider vinegar has done wonders. My Rangers had terrible loose smelly poo now it is good. Now I am using it on my smelly gassy hound.Broody Mc Buff still holds her ground almost like a robot. Glad to have her separated from the others so they do not come in and eat her food and harass her.

 

[ll]

Nice chicks and nice view John can I come live with you? That scenery is truly beautiful.

Here is my happy hen with her 2 new chicks!

Should I take the box away? Now? Just leave the hay on the wood chips with no box?
I'm afraid they'll get out and not be able to get back in (has happened once already)

 

[naturespace]

Nice chicks and nice view John can I come live with you? That scenery is truly beautiful.

Here is my happy hen with her 2 new chicks!

Should I take the box away? Now? Just leave the hay on the wood chips with no box?
I'm afraid they'll get out and not be able to get back in (has happened once already)

very sweet. looks like to little roos, if they are cuckoos.