What I learned about using a Broody Hen

[jkm]

thnak you so much for this post, i did almost everything right with my broody buffy, I have had two hatchery hens go broody, a BR and this buffy.
my buffy is very tame and has been easy to carry around, i pulled her off the nest twice, three times a day and made her eat out under the birdfeeder, she hisses at me, but has never pecked.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
When we have more space and free range our birds more, I am sure that that is exactly what we'll do. Right now they are in a big covered run, but I don't feel that it's enough space for mama to be able to hide her chicks from aggressive hens if she needs to. She is not very high up in the pecking order, I'm afraid. I have her and her chicks separated within the run with some screening and a rubbermaid bin on its side (with nesting material in it) for night time nesting. I'm hoping that keeping her and the chicks in close proximity to the other birds will ease their integration into the flock.

 

[77horses]

We are currently on day 6-8(about?) with our broody Buff Orp hen.

Hatch date is around the week of June 11th. Can't wait! Setherina's first time as a broody and she's doing a great job. She's a really sweet hen and hasn't been too aggressive when we reach under to pull out a few eggs for candling.

She will only growl and puff up her feathers when she sees us! LOL

Thanks for writing about all that you learned; that will help me while our broody girl is sitting on the eggs!
We aren't separating her because 1. her nest box is nailed to the coop(literally) and we don't want to move all her 10+ eggs, and 2. she is fine where she is. She shares the coop with her rooster, who pays no attention to her barely at all, and her sister is outside for almost every day. And they don't try to bother her or get in the nest, etc. So she's happy where she is.

Here's a pic of this stubborn little hen:

And congrats on the hatch! Those chicks are ADORABLE!!!!

I can't wait to see what ours look like; the father is a Splash Cochin(standard) rooster. Should have colorful chicks.

 

[Debbienmousey]

Congratulations! All the chicks are adorable and ChickenHawk is so pretty!

We have two special "broody boxes" for our hens when they go broody. We let them hatch their chicks inside the boxes (Which are up high just like the nesting boxes.) Then we move mom and chicks to a cage in the run. All the chickens can see each other and get acquainted.

One of our McMurray R.I.R. hens is broody for the second time in 2 years. She's sitting on guinea eggs.


Anyway, goodluck with the babies

 

[L0rraine]

THANK YOU! for sharing. Great information/reminders/PICTURES!

 

[IggiMom]

That was very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

Catherine

 

[Lov'emSouthernEggs]

Oh, thank you so much for writting this. I have been thinking about getting a broody hen so that she can do the hatching. I think that chicks need a momma. I am even more convinced that getting a broody is the best thing for us! Best wishes!

 

[suebee]

Great post. I have to add a tip.
My broodies tend to start sitting in an odd spot. I've had the biggest fights on my hands when I try to move the nest onto the enclosed floor nest.
The best way to do this is move the eggs onto the floor nest first.
In the corner so while she's fighting to get back to her old nest, she won't tromp all over those eggs.

Make sure you cover the top with an old screen, cardboard, etc. so she can't get out. If she does get out, cover the old nest so she can't get in.
She'll put up a good fight for maybe hours, then she'll forget about the old spot, settle down and sit.
Some treats help too.

 

[needtohatch]

So much good info! I have a surprise first time broody RIR from hatchery stock (just a yr old) that I just moved out of the nest box a few days ago. I would have left her there, but I was afraid the chicks would take a tumble when they hatch. I had read posts on people that got watermellon boxes to use as brooders, so I have been collecting them and thought I would try that for her. So far so good. It is big enough for food, water and room to move around (if she ever leaves the nest). I put a piece of wire fence over the top and cut a door in the side so she can get out once the chicks hatch. Right now I have to take her out or she would never leave the nest. She puffs up and fusses at me, but never tries to peck.

 

[basicliving]

I agree with everything you said. I bought my flock from McMurray's based on breeds that were NOT supposed to go broody - so far I've had 1 White Faced Black Spanish, 1 Golden Penciled Hamburg, and 3 Phoenix go broody on me - and 2 of the Phoenix have been broody twice! I'm actually really happy with the broodies. I didn't *think* I would want them to go broody - I *thought* I just wanted eggs to eat and planned to add to the flock as this one got older. I'm really happy they are hatching out their own babies. And with the first two, I learned everything you wrote about. Great post!

Penny