Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

Of course you should, it's the only way to go.

yes absolutely

 

[bobbieschicks]

yes absolutely

That's my next goal. To decide on a breed and raise them for dual purpose and not just egg color like I was doing. I'd of course keep my broody girls to help with the raising no matter the breed.

 

[Johnn]

both my cockerels (one being the cuckoo maran chick) are getting on well at the minute, my other cockerel, dosent peck him, he used to when he was a chick though! , the maran chick knows just to move out his way when he wants to pass him, they are doing great so far though, i hope it stays that way. The maran chick spread his wings and started chasing his sister! then she ran next to her mother and he stopped.

 

[Miss Lydia]

do you think i should wait to get my own eggs or buy eggs ??

If you like your breeds that you have then use your own eggs, if you want a different breed then buy.

 

[farmer boy]

If you like your breeds that you have then use your own eggs, if you want a different breed then buy.

well idk if mine crossed bred or not but i will use mine and buy a few i guess

 

[horsesNchickens]

i have a broody hen. she has been broody for a while just recently we lost 3 chickens to the dang coyote. so we were thinking of getting chicks and placing them under our hen.would that work?
we also read that the chicks should be 1 day old.do they have to be a certain breed?

 

[Johnn]

i have a broody hen. she has been broody for a while just recently we lost 3 chickens to the dang coyote. so we were thinking of getting chicks and placing them under our hen.would that work?
we also read that the chicks should be 1 day old.do they have to be a certain breed?

i would make sure she has been broody for adleast 2 weeks, it might work or it might not but it probablies will, they can be any were up to 3 days old but i think people say the younger the better, they dont have to be a certain breed as far as i am aware, good look

 

[Johnn]

i have a broody hen. she has been broody for a while just recently we lost 3 chickens to the dang coyote. so we were thinking of getting chicks and placing them under our hen.would that work?
we also read that the chicks should be 1 day old.do they have to be a certain breed?

also sneak them under her at night and take the eggs out at the same time.

 

[earlybird10842]

In the "breeds" section of this wbpage, Australorps are listed as " average" Brooders. on the list of good Broodies, on this thread, they are listed as " very frequent"

 

[bobbieschicks]

i have a broody hen. she has been broody for a while just recently we lost 3 chickens to the dang coyote. so we were thinking of getting chicks and placing them under our hen.would that work?
we also read that the chicks should be 1 day old.do they have to be a certain breed?

I second Johnns advice and would add to it this, when chosing the number and type of chicks keep in mind how large they will be at 3-4 weeks old in relation to the size of the broody and your weather. The broody will usually stop mothering them about that age and they will need to keep each other warm at night. My silkes and LF chicks generally huddled together once momma starts pecking them away. Some moms will stay longer with the chicks but that is not the norm.