Broody Hen
What to do about a broody hen that isn't very maternal? She keeps moving nesting boxes every few days...I don't think she understands that she's never going to hatch an egg if she keeps moving!!!
I keep moving the eggs under her, is that the right thing to do?
Comments
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Chicken and dumplings! 🙃🐔
I've only ever had to deal with a broody hen when I wasn't trying to hatch eggs, so I didn't do anything special and she eventually stopped on her own. Hopefully someone else has experience with this specific situation!
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I think I need to make her an maternity ward and pull her away from the coop!
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Remove her and reintroduce her when she stops being broody. If this doesn't work, some people have used dipping in cold water (not right under, lol). I think the first option will work good enough. Removal has worked for mine.
The eggs may or may not be viable at this point. I would suggest candling them and if good, put under a real broody or an incubator. If they aren't good, toss them.
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Thanks for the great advice, Laurie!
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Agreed! :)
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Happy to help!
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Look what hatched today! 🐣🐥🐤
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Cheep cheep! That's a proud looking momma. Congratulations!
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Thank you! She still has half a dozen eggs under her...So, I guess I'll give in another day or two before I remove them and put them in the 'chick' apartment. I know the baby has 3 days before it really needs to eat and drink. But, so far...it's walking around and pecking in the nesting box! So cute!!!
Pics of the brooder apartment to come soon!
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***Baby dust!*** (if you've incubated, you'll understand. There is lots!)
Awesome little yellow fluff butt! Chicks are so cute and just perfect under a hen.
IMPORTANT! For food & water, it is max. 24 hrs. I make sure that food & water are available even before hatch. That way, when mom is ready, she can take them over. When I hatch 'em, it is dip the beak in the water before 24 hr. They will find the food on their own, but make it easy to find.
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@Ruth Reyes-Loiacano, how's that chick doing? Did any more end up hatching? Keep us posted! :)
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Hey Merin,
We had the one hatch on Friday, one Saturday, and one Sunday! There are still a couple viable eggs under the hens...yes, HENS! There are three broodies now, two in one box. I'm going to give it another day or two before I pull the eggs.
Looks like we have one salmon faverolle and two barred rock or black sexlink chicks...Fingers crossed they are all hens! haha!
More pics to come soon!
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The chicks are all eating and drinking! :)
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Very good to hear and a beautiful mix! I am enjoying the trilling that my last hatch chicks are doing as I type. It is such gentle music.
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Such awesomeness and cuteness! 😍
I'm so happy to see your troubles with the broodies turned into a few new cuties!
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Here is a quick video of the babes...
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Love the video Ruth! Gosh they are adorable.
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Thank you! Just had another one hatch this morning! Ahhhh!!!!!
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