Broody Hen Surprise

[Robinjopo1]

I let my broody hen sit on 4 eggs and today I went to gather eggs and one has hatched.

I was shocked. It's our first time even trying and these eggs were very small.

I just went and checked and 2 more eggs are cracking. I'm going to move them to the adjoining apartment when the excitement is over. I have no idea about feeding this type of chick. I've always purchased mine and kept them indoors.

I so excited. It's the simple things in life

 

[tmttactical]

Congrats, boys or girls? Where are the cigars?

 

[Robinjopo1]

Congrats, boys or girls? Where are the cigars?

It takes quite a while to tell sex. May have a couple more in the morning.

The rooster is guarding and giving me The evil eye

 

[Robinjopo1]

Told my husband that at least we know we can be self sufficient on the protein front if SHTF

 

[Danil54grl]

https://m.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Sex-of-a-Chicken
if you really want to determine the sex of chicks early on this may help you out.

 

[Robinjopo1]

Last year, when I decided to try for a roo, I studies all of these.

I ended by using the wing size method.

I ended up with 50/50 . Soooo

 

[brandx]

It is very difficult to tell the sex of a chick, at least that is what I have read.

 

[Robinjopo1]

I know they have specialists at the hatcheries, but that's above my pay grade.

 

[Danil54grl]

Years ago I watched an episode of Dirty Jobs that had Mike Rowe feeling the chicks anus to determine sex. I don't remember what the differences were. Probably blocked that out cause not something I would not want to do. I don't have an issue checking wings though. Did that on a neighbors. . . He was so proud hatching an egg in his incubator . Us, we don't care. Girls get to be layers and boys go into the freezer.

 

[Robinjopo1]

Two more pecked their way out but died. All that work.

 

[Maverick]

Next year I'm raising rock cornish strictly for cooking (broilers) The kids were going to raise prairie hens but the price tag for the juvenile pair was steep at over $500, they are pretty but not at that price.

 

[Robinjopo1]

Next year I'm raising rock cornish strictly for cooking (broilers) The kids were going to raise prairie hens but the price tag for the juvenile pair was steep at over $500, they are pretty but not at that price.

I give about $3 per chick at Tractor Supply. I like the Rhode Island Reds. Mostly I get dual purpose, but I've never eaten one.

 

[Gazrok]

It takes quite a while to tell sex

I think it's all guesswork until they are older, lol...

I like the Rhode Island Reds

Me too. Even my lone survivor typically lays an egg a day.

 

[Robinjopo1]

The baby has feathered feet like his daddy. The roo is absolutely beautiful.

Langshan..... nickname gentle giant.

They eat out of my hand. They are guarding the nest now though. Good sign.

 

[brandx]

I thought this was good information for broody hens, chicks and answered some questions I had.
www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chicks.html

 

[Robinjopo1]

I thought this was good information for broody hens, chicks and answered some questions I had.
www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chicks.html

Thanks. I am rather shocked that 3 of the 4 died after popping the egg.

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you

 

[brandx]

Thanks. I am rather shocked that 3 of the 4 died after popping the egg.

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you

You're welcome. I thought it was good info, things that weren't in my book and had more references to go to as well. I didn't realize the temperature was so fiercely important. 90- 95 only. I guess here they could overheat really easily. It is 99 today. How does one keep them cool and have no breeze? AC for chickens? LOL

 

[Robinjopo1]

I don't use heat lamps anymore, but those are very hot.

I use the Brinsea and love it. I was hoping to get 4 or 5 chicks before Winter. I have 4 more eggs under another broody girl.

My Speckled Sussex and Gold Laced Wyandottes are my broody girls. I was told it would be the Buff Orpington

 

[Gazrok]

How does one keep them cool and have no breeze? AC for chickens? LOL

Totally know people who do, or use temp controlled fans. That's just too much for me to get into, for chicks I can pick up for $2 and change.

 

[Robinjopo1]

Totally know people who do, or use temp controlled fans. That's just too much for me to get into, for chicks I can pick up for $2 and change.

Me too.