Old Speckled Hen Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Well, I have one broody hen. Not sure if she has stopped laying yet so she is sitting on some dummies for the moment. When she does stop I plan to put six eggs, a mix from all our hens, under her. I know incubation is 21 days but how long do I keep them all in the coop after hatching, will she manage them herself considering I have four other hens and Flash the boy. Will I need to fence off a little of the field for them so they can all run around unmolested? Never done this before. She is the bottom of the pecking order and I'm sure she would have been badly treated if it weren't for the Boy. Will she fit in afterwards? She looks so sublimely happy sitting quietly having her food brought to her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Have a look in the FAQ section and at the top of the hatching section of the forum; loads of info there but just PM me if you need any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks, I did quickly browse there but will look properly. Dani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 There’s little as rewarding as hatching and raising chicks with a broody, just watching them learn and mimic their mum is a wonderful way to waste a lot of time! It’s best if mum is sitting undisturbed for the 21 days so she’s not hassled by the others and to stop them sneakily adding eggs to her nest. She’ll need to be close to food (corn is best) and water, and should get herself off the nest at least once a day. If you don’t see enormous broody poos (once smelt never forgotten), then lift her off daily and plonk her in front of the refreshments and she’ll get the idea. It’s best if you have a small house and run for mum and chicks after they hatch. For the first few days they’re best with not too much room to stray from mum, but by the time they’re a week old they’ll be running rings around mum. They can all eat chick crumb for the first 6 wks or so and be sure to have a drinker that the chicks can’t drown themselves in. Mum will stay with them for as long as she wants to, usually about 6-8 weeks. I wouldn’t confine the youngsters with any of the other adults until they’re adult themselves as they’re likely to take quite a beating. I tend to let mine out to sort of free range once they get to about 3 months. I’m wary of magpies and crows so I keep them in a covered run until I think they’re big enough not to fall prey to them. As mum is bottom of the pecking order, I’d try to keep her child rearing accommodation within sight and sound of the others so they still recognise her when she goes back to the flock. Even so, she may still have a hard time at first. Just a few "top of my head" thoughts - if that triggers any questions, just ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 How exciting OSH Once you know she is broody properly she'll be better off in her own small broody coop/rabbit hutch/eglu type affair with a small run so she can sit in peace and quiet (particularly as she is bottom of the heap) and rear the chicks safely (other hens/cocks can be aggressive to them). I lift my broody each day for breakfast, poo and preen but some people let their broodies do their own thing - typically they'll put the food out of reach so the broody has to get up. It is essential to monitor broody health - they are capable of starving themselves. Also, you should treat her/nest for lice/mites now as sitting for 21 days makes her a target. You should also candle, you don't want her sitting for 21 days on infertile eggs. Once hatched, I keep Mum and chicks in for a day or so, at least until everything has hatched and then its up to her if they are in the house or in the run. Its also a good idea to rear the chicks/growers away from the adults from a disease perspective, ideally they will have fresh ground if you can manage it. She is a first timer so you will need to keep an eye on her as occasionally hens make poor mums and can attack their own offspring (in this unlikely event you need a plan B involving a heat lamp), but essentially instinct kicks in and she will be like the cat that got the cream. She will show them how to eat/drink and keep them warm. She will typically get fed up around 6 weeks (roughly when they are old enough to be 'off heat' if you were using an incy, they will have morphed from cute fluffballs into energetic leggy feathery things) and show signs of wanting to leave them. The only thing I will say amidst all the excitement is a reality check - have a plan for the boys. Good luck Cross posted with everyone else, never mind, some of it must be true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 There’s little as rewarding as hatching and raising chicks with a broody Thanks Jools, lots to ponder on. Will keep updates......... Dani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 How exciting OSH Thanks Daphne Lots more to ponder She is in her own accommodation already within sight of the others. I have freezer space for the boys and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
