The multiple-broody-hen-baby-chick shuffle

[dancingbear]

Yesterday, 17 of 23 of the eggs from my own hens, finished hatching in the incubator, (yay, I know now it's not me, the problem really was with the shipped eggs, every single one of this bunch that pipped, hatched successfully.) and at the same time, a couple of hens hatched 4, and another was on 12 eggs. The one on eggs had been on them about 8 days, but had been broody for over a week before she got the eggs. It's her 2nd clutch this season, she was a very good mom with the first ones, her first clutch ever.

Today, I went and picked up a pair of new-hatched poults from a friend. Then tonight, I took the dozen from the broody on eggs, and gave back the 6 unhatched eggs, (just so she wouldn't notice a lack of eggs) along with the 2 poults, and several chicks. She was a bit growley about this, but I'm hoping after she hovers this babies the rest of the night, she'll decide they must be hers. some of the others, I stuck under the other 2 hens with new chicks. I have 6 more to place during the day, I'll use the old pick-up-4-put-back-more trick. I'll spread them out with the three hens, if all has gone well with tonight's adoptees.

The 12 eggs from under then hen are now in the 'bator, pending another possible broody. I have a couple who have been making somewhat-broody gestures of late. If no more broodies, I'll end up raising them myself, which I generally don't care to do if I can help it. I prefer to let the hens do it. They're much better than I am at teaching chicken-ley behavior and social skills. The ones I raise turn into the social misfits of chicken society. (They're the ones that hang out on street corners in bad neighborhoods, getting into trouble.)

So I'll see what develops by the time I go back down to the coop, later in the morning.

 

[damselfish]

Wow, that's complex! I hope it all works out great for you and you don't end up with any juvenile delinquent poultry hanging out next to the road, trying to look cool.

I've never heard of the pick up 4, put back more trick, thanks for the tip!

 

[wegotchickens]

I have 2 millies that have learned how to set & hatch, but not mother the chicks. And I have one hen that hatched 2 clutches, but only learned to be on the 2nd batch.

I don't pick any up. I just add more under the current momma hen, and only take away when I've found new homes for some of the chicks. She doesn't seem to mind, and always makes room for the newest baby!

 

[dancingbear]

I have one who's instinct only went as far as setting on eggs, she had no idea what to do when they hatch. every chick that hatched under this hen died. She did the same thing last year. So this year, she gets a black leg band, so we know not to let her try to hatch eggs.

She does make a nice incubator, but you can't let them hatch under her.

So far, so good. I have 7 more to place, one of the smaller ones this morning had to be brought back in for awhile. maybe it'll do better on the next attempt.

Next year, for sure, I'll have separate broody pens built, so we can skip all this drama. That was the plan this year, too, but there were things that came up, and it didn't get done. I've said that for several years, now, but this time for sure! (just like Bullwinkle..)