Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

My poor broody mom is so thin. She has 11 babies she is taking care of and is doing such a good job, that she is neglecting herself. The other mom abandoned her chicks last week, way too early as they are only 4 weeks. I see her eating, well calling her chicks to eat, maybe she is watching them too much, instead of eating.

at 4 weeks old they arte old enough as mom taught them how to be chickens. I've had them set free as young as 3.5 weeks and they are now fine smart adult chickens

 

[Miss Lydia]

well my broodys had babies, I gave them all away and kept 2. I do hope with all my might there girls lol. my luck is never good in this erea. I wanted to keep the 2 ees that came from this batch, I had a total of nine chicks, 5 from one 4 from another, all went on week 2. I miss them. but know I can not raise them all over the winter. they went to a wonderful vet.






there 3 1/2 weeks old today

So cute, and isn't nice you know they went to a good home.

 

[aoxa]

well my broodys had babies, I gave them all away and kept 2. I do hope with all my might there girls lol. my luck is never good in this erea. I wanted to keep the 2 ees that came from this batch, I had a total of nine chicks, 5 from one 4 from another, all went on week 2. I miss them. but know I can not raise them all over the winter. they went to a wonderful vet.






 there 3 1/2 weeks old today

The two you kept look very girly to me Cute!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I'm hoping to candle Topsy's eggs tonight since she is now on Day 7. This time I haven't moved her from the nest box and she's been doing just fine. Although I did catch one of the BIG Lav Orps up there with her one day and shooed her out of the box to the one next door. Topsy seem rather smooshed in there with Ariel trying to lay her egg on top of Topsy.

If the eggs are all clear I'll probably try getting her a couple of chicks rather than hatching eggs so that will reduce the time before the babies are on their own in the colder winter months. If any are actually growing I will be very pleased.

I'll keep you posted on Topsy's 3rd hatch in 2012. BTW Topsy turned 1 year old on Oct 3rd.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Oh if only they kept them that long! Only one made it close to 8 weeks, and that was a buff orpington.
Janet is on week 6!

That is why I love silky chicks - all the fluff - they look like powder puffs running around in the yard! So beautiful!

 

[aoxa]

I'm hoping to candle Topsy's eggs tonight since she is now on Day 7.  This time I haven't moved her from the nest box and she's been doing just fine.  Although I did catch one of the BIG Lav Orps up there with her one day and shooed her out of the box to the one next door.  Topsy seem rather smooshed in there with Ariel trying to lay her egg on top of Topsy.

If the eggs are all clear I'll probably try getting her a couple of chicks rather than hatching eggs so that will reduce the time before the babies are on their own in the colder winter months.  If any are actually growing I will be very pleased.

I'll keep you posted on Topsy's 3rd hatch in 2012.  BTW Topsy turned 1 year old on Oct 3rd.

Awesome! Hope there are a few there

 

[bobbieschicks]

well my broodys had babies, I gave them all away and kept 2. I do hope with all my might there girls lol. my luck is never good in this erea. I wanted to keep the 2 ees that came from this batch, I had a total of nine chicks, 5 from one 4 from another, all went on week 2. I miss them. but know I can not raise them all over the winter. they went to a wonderful vet.






there 3 1/2 weeks old today

I love the pic of them around the watering hole - they look so large - until you see the next pic with momma nearby that shows the actual scale LOL! So adorable. Pea combs can be tricky. I thought for sure my beautiful black Ameraucana was a girl until she crowed and started mounting the pullets. Soon she grew the tail of a roo and by 15 weeks it was clear she wasn't a she.

I'm thinking the one on the left is a cockerel and the one on the right is a pullet - hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[aoxa]

I love the pic of them around the watering hole - they look so large - until you see the next pic with momma nearby that shows the actual scale LOL!  So adorable.  Pea combs can be tricky.  I thought for sure my beautiful black Ameraucana was a girl until she crowed and started mounting the pullets.  Soon she grew the tail of a roo and by 15 weeks it was clear she wasn't a she.   

I'm thinking the one on the left is a cockerel and the one on the right is a pullet - hopefully I'm wrong.

Full viewing the image - you're right, the comb is pretty big. Though the pattern is very feminine. I think it could go either way. I sure hope it's a girl though!

 

[stonykill]

Mama 1st thing this morning. The 8 fuzzy butts 1st 1/2 hour off of the nest. It was about 38 outside. Notice how they don't care...

Mama is such a good girl

 

[Lacy Blues]