Hatching with a Broody Hen All the Way - Setting, Incubating, Moving, Hatching, and Brooding!

Broody hens are the best! Follow our broody hen as she begins incubation and shows off her adorable chicks. It's so rewarding for both hen and us when a broody is able to fulfill her favorite work.
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Want to learn more about broody hens? • Broody Hens
Want to learn more about raising chicks? • Brooding Chicks
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[@spottedteilmist1999]

She's soooo cute and adorable and SHE'S SOOO FLUFFY 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😍😍😍😍😍💗💖💓❤💝💞💟💕💖💗💘💜

[@spottedteilmist1999]

Thanks tell that hen I love her

[@cyrussebastian5385]

of all the female birds,hens is the cutest.

[@oddlyasmr83]

And fluffy too ♥️

[@rehanacookie8432]

I agree

[@jerireid6651]

Perfect effortless presentation for dealing with a broody chicken. I like that you kept the other hens right next to her so they would integrate comfortably. My other hens always pick on my broody hens as they seem to weaken!

[@jerireid6651]

I’m planning on having my broody girl Clementine sit on the Favorelles eggs to hatch!

[@FaithNFarmstead]

My kids wanted to watch a broody hen. This was the perfect video!! Thanks 🙏🏻 ❤

[@ChickenHues]

I’m so glad they liked it!!

[@victorm7274]

I have so many hens that I didn’t notice one of my silkie hens wasn’t going in the coop at night. Before you know it, out comes out a baby chick. To my surprise she hatch 6 baby silkies in the run. She raised them with out my help. I only supplied a chick waterer because I only have chicken nipples for my hens and I only hand scattered starter crumble in the run . Mama silkie taught them how to scratch and find food . 👍🏼 no incubator or brooder needed. 👍🏼

[@ChickenHues]

Isn’t it amazing how they are able to hatch and raise their babies with very little help? It always amazes me!

[@grimjet3601]

We have 23 chickens and none of them have ever been broody until now. I noticed 3 days ago that my hen was laying on a clutch of eggs and wouldn't move. So I moved her to her own nesting box/run and she's still sitting there happy. Fingers Crossed!

[@ChickenHues]

I hope it works out! It’s so fun to watch a hen with her chicks.

[@acgray1972]

I don't know why everyone rushes out to get a broody mom and put her somewhere else. I gradually stopped doing this when I spoke to an ol school farmer. He asked me if I thought farmers rushed out to fuss over a broody hen and chicks. I started leaving them alone in the main flock. Adjusting nest boxes and such I have 19 in my flock. 5 went broody and I have 25 chicks running with 17 hens and two roo's

[@Tara-id3rk]

I have a clutch about 5 days from hatch under a first time broody mama...and a first time hatching our own eggs (as we don’t have a mature roo.) I left her in the main coop with her small flock. They’re 4 years old and get along really well, so I’m hoping it goes well. I guess if I observe some aggression against the chicks I will move them, but I didn’t feel it was necessary at this point. Her chicken BFF actually sits on top of her to lay and she adds the eggs to her clutch. It’s crazy. Ha. We shall see how it goes once the chicks get here

[@jerireid6651]

My sons 1 broody chicken was being totally picked on until it’s feathers were gone and head all bloody. The now pullets chickens that hatch are doing great but for some reason she’s being picked on by the other hens. Hummmm separated ...

[@ricardoromero9019]

Tara 907 did you get any chicks?

[@youraveragecapybaraworship6330]

@@jerireid6651 erm the reason to this is because the hens are jealous of her because a rooster likes her the most I’m just saying if ur rooster gets on top of a hen it’s because he’s trying to get her attention and ask her to mate

[@lianasher3339]

You prolly dont care at all but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot the login password. I appreciate any tips you can give me

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Fascinating! I have never seen this as I am just getting into chickens and don't even have any yet. I get pullets later this spring and just so excited for the journey. Thanks for sharing!!

[@ChickenHues]

How exciting! I think you’re going to love having chickens!

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

@@ChickenHues I think so too. Looking into getting 6- 2- Black Austrolorps 1- Silver Laced Wyandotte 1- Green Queen Easter Egger 1- Olive Egger 1- Creme Legbar Blue Egger

[@robinj.9329]

My Mom hatched eggs under Broody hens successfully for nearly 50 years! The secret? You need an older "Legacy" breed of hen! The birds bred for "Factory Farms" will never do!

[@Sarah-bw7rl]

Im not so sure about that. I have an ISA brown hen from tractor supply and she’s broody as all get up.

[@acgaming007]

AWW look at the yellow chickling at 8:51, it's like it's saying "hi mama"

[@stevemlejnek7073]

I cant get over how much my broody today looks like your broody in your videos. I've always considered mine a barnyard mix, and she lays a green egg.

[@ChickenHues]

Technically my hen is a barnyard mix that just lays an olive egg. 😂

[@bleb9608]

I'm hoping to give my first shot at hatching with broody hens thus spring! Two of my incubator girls from last year went broody together and won't leave eachother (they do everything together). I'm hoping they'll co parent if I give them some eggs 🤞

[@ChickenHues]

How is it going with them?

[@wheelsuprn6591]

I use a red lighted headlamp for all my chicken napping needs.

[@sophiamccullough9975]

These are the exact chicken I am working with thanks

[@gabriellemcguinness6095]

Lovely video and very easy to understand each stage of brooding

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful.

[@stephendoyle1153]

I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for documenting it and posting.

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you, Stephen! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@thga1700]

it looks amizing

[@Tantemify]

beautiful hen

[@abdulnassertajudeen8190]

i liked it. reason why i should even get more excited about mine which is three days into incubation

[@ColoradoMartini]

So adorable. I miss our chickens

[@ChickenHues]

Do you think you’ll get more someday?

[@creekbird1]

Great minds think alike!! I've been doing this same process for 20 years and it works every time!! I've told a few people about it but not sure if they've tried it. I loved seeing this on here. Thanks for your video.

[@ChickenHues]

I just had another hatch some chicks today! :) It works! Thanks for watching!

[@acgray1972]

Since commenting I've had three more clutches hatch in with the big flock. I have all sized babies running with full grown hens and two Roo's! Funny thing is after I throw grain out, they all have no issues finding their own momma's. I wouldn't do it any other way ....again.

[@XSHADOWTHELEGENDARYHEDGEHOGxX]

So adorable

[@angiporter2863]

Great video! Very awesome and informative!

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!

[@valmai6005]

I love chickens and chicks♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[@randimacdonald230]

Love this video thank you!

[@ChickenHues]

I’m glad! Thank you for watching!

[@bryancosten7184]

You did a good job with this vid! Very informative! Excellant advice with the moving of the hen at night before hatching. I am doing the same thing with a 9 month old Buff Orpington that is super broody. I have no rooster so a friend that does let me have my pick of 2 dozen eggs. So she is now sitting on 7. I am trying the hens are in round eggs approach. Trying to see if there is any validity to that theory! Time will tell... and today is day 1... of 21. Central PA back yard farmer

[@ChickenHues]

I’d love to hear what you find out on the round eggs! Best of luck with your hatch and thank you for watching!

[@13ashor]

That's amazing! This is really helpful I've just got into this on a French farm we recently bought. I had no idea what to do when she became broody.....;)

[@ChickenHues]

I’m glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@Slay_thedayaway]

I have 3 broody hens, and I'm going to put some eggs under a new broody hen, so we will see how we go!

[@ChickenHues]

How fun! Let us know how it goes!

[@flower952]

How'd it go

[@SlipMahoneyBowery]

Thanks

[@crystalo3550]

Awesome video

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you and thank you for watching!

[@allyssehannaway174]

such a great video.

[@ChickenHues]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@xayatale4269]

I had a broody that doesn't take breaks. So I had to force it to take breaks. After that it took breaks. As for free ranging, it depends on the hen's ranking and how well she can fend off the other hen's.

[@jayrobertson1689]

This was great,thanks

[@ChickenHues]

I’m glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@stephanielloyd1207]

Thank you!

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you for watching!

[@zoes32flavaz]

Our chicken is broody, we weren’t expecting it but we already started giving he eggs to sit on, I hope she succeeds :) she is our first hen to go broody the reason we didn’t expect it we only had her for a year and we got them as chicks we didn’t know they go broody so soon

[@ChickenHues]

How did she do?

[@PattieM]

We have a broody named Elsa. Her eggs are from our hen we lost to heat (Florida) suddenly. Their mom Angel looked just like your broody. Elsa has naturally wanted to sit on eggs even though we have kept our accident roo from the main coop. We’re a small backyard flock of 5 with 3 egg potential.

[@janiceneace5065]

Helpful video. I have a broody and eggs in the mail. I have to get her in her own place as she keeps switching boxes in the coop and letting what she is sitting on go cold. Kind of made the decision for me that I have to move her. Hopefully she will stay broody but will make sure to move at night.

[@cristinford7856]

cool eggs

[@XSHADOWTHELEGENDARYHEDGEHOGxX]

I likw when they do this

[@deepbeeps]

Good mama! nice job.

[@ChickenHues]

She is a great mom and sure loved her little chicks!

[@rsllife9004]

Look so cute i am really happy with your content and nice to see thank+

[@ChickenHues]

I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Thank YOU for watching!

[@wonderfulnature07]

Your video presentation is beautiful.

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you! Thank you for watching.

[@luvzmegann]

Omg my broody hen looks just like yours and her baby chicks look exactly like hers! One of white and the others are black with maybe a little bit of white

[@ChickenHues]

Lots of people say that - hens like that must be great broody hens!

[@pazdiwata8807]

Thank you so much for sharing this...! Very well-conceptualized, enjoyable viewing. Transferring the Mama hen and the chicks from the nest after hatching has always been a concern for me. Your method is super efficient and effective: no more stress coz of the transfer, and the Mommy hen and the chicks can take their own good time before joining the flock. By the way, may I ask for the dimensions of your coop?

[@ChickenHues]

Thank you for the kind comments! Our main coop is around 8X9-10 with a large enclosed run and then huge fenced pasture are (maybe an 1/8 acre or so...).

[@katiegreenwood3132]

I wish I could afford a separate coop like that. Brilliant idea. I have my first broody hen. She started out with 8 eggs and we're down to 4 now. They keep getting broken by hens crowding her nest. I have nowhere to move her. I won't be surprised if we lose them all.

[@ChickenHues]

I hope they start leaving the eggs alone!

[@histerp51]

I had a couple brrody’s not even one year old, and I brought home 7 eggs that we thought might be fertilized from a friend. She sat on them for 21 days and i had 6 beautiful Barred Rock babies...That’s what my friends Roo was...

[@ChickenHues]

Nice! ❤️

[@daisymay6505]

So pretty 😍

[@ChickenHues]

Thanks!

[@joanrossington6932]

Answered all my questions thank you as I have a silkie sitting on 7 eggs and I want to move her to a smaller hen house so will do so tonight in the dark.

[@ChickenHues]

I hope it went well! Good luck on your hatch!

[@joanrossington6932]

Chicken Hues yes it did thank you. 7 out of 7. All thriving with a good mother.

[@melissajohnson2935]

I have my first broody hen! I've felt so bad taking her eggs, but I just wasn't ready. Going to go pick her up a little coop just for herself tomorrow. Found a little rabbit type coop that I think will be perfect! Thank you for the video, I learned a lot!

[@ChickenHues]

I hope she does well for you! I'd love to hear how things go! How exciting!

[@melissajohnson2935]

@@ChickenHues thanks! I marked her eggs yesterday and we got the coop put together today. She had a few extra eggs under her today. Idk if another hen laid there when she was up or if she stole some lol. But I marked those with today dates. So she has 5. We're going to try tomorrow evening to move her! I can't wait to see how she does 😊

[@melissajohnson2935]

@@ChickenHues my back up plan if these eggs don't hatch is to buy some new chicks and try and stick under her....but I really hope they hatch! She seems determined to have some babies, lol.

[@ChickenHues]

How exciting! I bet she’ll do great!

[@fieldaj2011]

I had a bantam silkie who hatched everything I would put with her. But she could only hold about 3 full size eggs!

[@redangrybird7564]

LOL, some mamas will hatch golf balls if given the chance 😀✌

[@estherloveschickens9075]

Going to try this for the first time wish me luck

[@ChickenHues]

I hope things go well and would love to hear an update! Good luck!!

[@estherloveschickens9075]

@@ChickenHues ok so i can't see through my blue and green egg shells but one white egg is a dud and I saw some veins in my silkie egg my instagram is Kaaz_Lokalin if you want to see pic

[@kbaue12]

@@estherloveschickens9075 did u get any chicks ?

[@loseyourlife4042]

Awesome content, thank you, we have 19 hens and one rooster, March is here and I want to try letting hens brood, I’m just not sure on our chicken coop being the best set up for it but I’m willing to make any changes possible to get chicks going

[@ChickenHues]

Fun!! What is your setup like?

[@toddforhetz]

nice

[@michellebombeck6585]

Not sure if you'll see this, but I love this video! Seems I'm doing this correctly. My only question is what do I feed my chicks?

[@ChickenHues]

Hello! I’m so glad you like the video! Feed them a chick starter feed. I’d love to hear how your hatch goes.

[@CatchingDreamsTarot]

I’m new at this I now have 2 broody he’s , sisters, olive eggers, my only 2 🫒🥚. I take them treats, egg yolks, cherries , watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and electrolytes, 1 will eat cat food and canned tuna, I force them off the eggs 1 x a day , or else they won’t get up at all. I reached out to a doko farms and they suggested I do treats for them and help them till they learn, they became dehydrated and sick from not getting off the eggs. For a week or two prior they were sitting on eggs and after a few days got bullied off, I think they became determined to not lose any more babies that way.

[@ChickenHues]

They sound like they’re very well taken care of! 😊. I hope they both have a great hatch and get those babies that they want!

[@bridgetbissen1820]

So cute I hope I have the same luck

[@ChickenHues]

Let us know how it goes!

[@bridgetbissen1820]

Chicken Hues This was actually a very helpful and accurate video and after using the advice my hen hatched a beautiful copper Maran hen. Thank you!

[@ChickenHues]

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear the video was helpful to you! :)

[@spacekimono]

Good idea with the butterfly net! I have a girl only with 1 chick so far hasn't left the nest! I hope this baby is eating..

[@ChickenHues]

You can put a little crumble by them just in case. Mine don’t get moving until the 2nd day usually.

[@sharonjames5269]

Hi hope you can still read this, my coop is similar, do you close the coop door for the first day or two when chicks are hatched so they don't tumble down the steps. And also after they are ready can they manage to get down from the coop into the run OK with the steps.

[@ChickenHues]

I keep the door open and haven’t had any fall out. You could keep the door closed the door until the hen acts like she’s ready to come out, though. Getting out has never been a problem - they can handle a bit of a fall at that age. It’s getting back up that is a struggle for the first week or so. I always had To help get the chicks back up the ramp in the evening. I piled bricks and rocks up around the ramp to help them follow the hen, which helped a little. They do eventually figure it out. 😀

[@cherylangel1714]

She stayed in the coop for 5 days? I want to move mine into a nursery coop, away from the others, but not before she wants to move. The first chick hatched at day 20 (a wonderful surprise), it's now day 21... The nest she has them in is 2 feet above the ground, so I hope I am there to see her trying to move them so I can help :) I can't wait until they are safe in the nursery coop. I haven't been able to sleep or anything lol

[@ChickenHues]

How exciting! How are they doing?

[@ohno2624]

She looked pretty comfortable where she was

[@ChickenHues]

She probably was. Lol. I wasn’t comfortable with where she was, though. 😁

[@cherokeepurple4480]

Thank you for this video. I keep watching it over and over because my broody mama is getting ready to hatch her first set of chicks this weekend plus I have some eggs in the incubator. My question is when did you change out her nesting box (day or night?) and was it at the same time you gave her the chicks from the incubator? Mine is in a nest box size crate now but I want to put her in a big dog crate with her chicks plus the ones from the incubator. I’m kind of nervous about upsetting her.

[@ChickenHues]

I’m sorry it took me so long to respond. You’re right - don’t do too many changes at once. She is going to just sit on the chicks for the first day anyway, so I wait until they’ve all hatched and then move the hen and chicks to wherever. (At night!). That’s also when I would add any extra chicks. When I move a hen and eggs, I do it well before it’s close to hatch day. Then there is plenty of time to figure it out if the move doesn’t work out.

[@cherokeepurple4480]

@@ChickenHues That’s ok.😊. Thank you for the response. I love your videos, BTW. Well, they hatched early on days 18, 19 and 20. She had 4 she hatched and I gave her 4 from the incubator during the day. I couldn’t wait until night when I saw how content and calm her chicks were with her. Luckily, she fell in love with them right away. However, when they started climbing out of her plastic crate onto the grass soon after, she got flustered trying to get them back. So I tried getting everyone locked away in the dog crate and that got her even more flustered and she ended up abandoning 2 eggs which I don’t think are viable anyway. I locked them away for the night and now everyone is settled and happy in their new home. Going forward, I’ll put mama in the dog crate with her eggs from day one.

[@debbie7991]

I enjoyed this video thank you for posting. My Bantam is Broody. She went missing for about 3 days I thought she flew over the fence and left usbut I ended up finding her in the woodpile sitting on ten little eggs. Sadly not fertile but we are getting fertile eggs tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about moving her but she has to because she is sitting on a metal bar. Can't be comfortable for her.

[@ChickenHues]

Good luck! Try moving her at night with her current eggs in the pitch dark. Hopefully she’ll accept it! I have a video on moving hens...

[@T-zam96]

Is it normal for a broody to go a little pale while sitting? My little Cochin went broody for the first time and I'm letting her sit but I've noticed shes a bit pale. I haven't seen any mites on her so I'm hoping it's just from not eating as regularly. She is pooping so i know shes eating.

[@ChickenHues]

Yes, it is normal. As long as you see her pooping and don't see obvious signs of parasites, she's probably just fine.

[@willrusso]

What breed of chicken is this? I love the coloration of this hen!

[@ChickenHues]

She is an olive egger that I hatched. Her mom was probably a blue Ameraucana and dad was a Black Copper Marans. 😊

[@DaChicken92]

how have your chickens that you hatched been doing? I have not attempted to put an egg under broodycute. but she never goes broody for long! Good luck!

[@ChickenHues]

They always do really well! Hopefully you get a hen that wants to hatch all the way through. It’s such a fun process.

[@thestonehousefarm1942]

I have been looking for a complete video for naturally hatching g chicks. I have let the hen hatch before but some of the chicks died via falling, ants, or other chickens. So I think separating them in their own coop will decrease the mortality rate. Thanks

[@ChickenHues]

I hope it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@rafiutaoheed6516]

Yeah moving the new babies to a separate coop for a couple weeks helps them until they're old enough to survive

[@Sugarplumcherry]

I love your Broody hen coop. Do you mind telling me where you bought?

[@ChickenHues]

Tractor Supply (TSC)!

[@Sugarplumcherry]

Thank you

[@gina6083]

@@ChickenHues What size is your coop? I see a lot online, but yours seems to be the size I'd like especially on the inside where she and her chicks have room to move around.

[@emmapocock3411]

I have a silkie who is broody and hatching eggs too!!

[@ChickenHues]

Enjoy them!!

[@corlldefox180]

My broody is due to hatch hers tomorrow and she is up in a nesting box - should I move her and eggs tonight lower down?

[@ChickenHues]

I personally would wait until they hatch. It doesn’t always work to move them and might cause a huge drama. She should keep the babies up there for a day or maybe two before trying to get them moving. You could move them in the dark after they hatch and will be much less drama.

[@ozlemseren2000]

Hi! Quick question. Do the hens go back to their nesting boxes to lay their egg or do they just lay them wherever while ranging? I free range my chickens after a certain hour because of this reason. We have a big piece of land and Im afraid they will lay eggs anywhere and I will never be able to find them 😊

[@ChickenHues]

My bantams’s life mission is to hide eggs. The large breed hens usually lay them in nest boxes. If they’re used to laying in the boxes then they will usually go back to lay. It tends to be a problem with new layers more than established hens.

[@gracestephens1281]

Do you need another coop or can you just keep them the whole time in the main one with all the other chickens??

[@ChickenHues]

I sometimes keep mine with the rest of the flock too. I have a video on that in the broody hen playlist.

[@christiethomas6905]

Did the chicks walk down the ramp? Will they fall and get hurt? I have a similar coop I’m considering using

[@ChickenHues]

They can get down just fine and don’t get hurt. Chicks are pretty flexible and resilient. The issue is that it often takes them about a week to understand how to get back up. Mine usually need to be manually captured and “walked” up the ramp the first days. 😂

[@MustacheCashStash125]

Should the hen and her chicks just be able to wonder around the coop or should they have their own area?

[@ChickenHues]

A lot depends on the area you have. Mine have a really large fenced in area with lots of places to hang out, so it hasn't been a problem letting them all wander around together. I have a broody now (no chicks yet) and all the chickens have been kept in the coop and enclosed run because of a hawk issue. I just moved her tonight into another area so she has some space to hatch and raise her chicks, because I think the hen would constantly be fighting the other hens to stay away from her babies. The hen should do a great job keeping the chicks with her - although the first few days the chicks seem to have trouble staying with mom around obstacles like fences, enclosures, etc. I hope that helps!

[@lamonarankin5504]

This is my first time and the hens first time. All seems well. It is day 15 and I have not moved her to her area to raise the chicks yet. What is the best way to do it since I missed the window of opportunity you described?

[@ChickenHues]

You can move her the same way. Move her with her eggs (in the dark). Just check first thing in the morning to make sure she is still on them. Otherwise you may want to put her and her eggs in a small dog crate or something until she settles down and realizes the eggs are there. Good luck!! 😊

[@lamonarankin5504]

@@ChickenHues Thank you, move went well and so far 6/11 eggs hatched!

[@ChickenHues]

So glad to hear that!

[@rudyvargas9518]

When they become broody do they cotinue to lay fertile eggs or when they are brooding do they stop laying until all her eggs are hatched

[@ChickenHues]

They stop laying. It takes them a couple of weeks to start laying after raising the chicks.

[@user-pv7fs3vw5q]

I’m trying to find a broody hen box right now. What are the dimensions and brand of yours ?

[@ChickenHues]

I’ve used the little coops from TSC, which are maybe 4x4 or 3X3? Enough room for her to move around and to put a feeder and waterer for the first day or so before she comes out with the chicks. If she won’t have any outside access it needs to be much bigger.

[@amandiae89]

How do you acclimate them back into the flock?

[@ChickenHues]

They are always still in the main run and mingling within the flock. They go back into the main coop easily.

[@crystalo3550]

Is ot bad i put food in small dish in the box with her close byso she doesn't even have to go looking with mealworms

[@ChickenHues]

No, it isn’t bad. But it is fine for her to leave the nest to eat, drink, dust bathe and poop.

[@elhombredeoro955]

My aseel hens try to cover the chicks more half of her size and keeps an eye on them for a very long time.

[@ChickenHues]

Some hens are amazing mothers!

[@anush1087]

Do you need to keep the baby chicks inside, or will the hen keep them warm enough for them to survive?

[@ChickenHues]

The broody hen completely takes care of them and keeps them warm - it's amazing. In the middle of winter I would probably bring them all inside a garage or something, but I've never let them hatch in winter. Even then, the hen would probably do a great job as long as she had shelter for them.

[@wasahkee8716]

I built a second broody coop out of pallets. And let over stuff. It's next to the main coop and sectioned off. I sectioned it of after I found a dented egg after another hen laid in the clutch. Forgot to ask.. main reason for post.. do you leave the door open, I keep thinking the chicks are gonna swan dive to their death even though I have a ramp made

[@ChickenHues]

I kept the door closed for the first day or two. Once the hen was up I opened it. They don’t really get hurt falling, but the problem is they can’t get back up. It takes a week or two until they can follow the hen back in the evening. Lol

[@chelseafrancis942]

Did you open the door to the downstairs area the next morning? We are going to use a rabbit hutch which has a sleeping area but isn’t locked off from the main run. Now sure if we need to create a door to lock her into the sleeping area?

[@ChickenHues]

I opened it. I kept food and water up with them because it’s usually a day or two before a hen takes her chicks out anyway.

[@lynnamacaibay1161]

How many days would it take the eggs to hatch if a broody hen was to sit on them from day one?

[@ChickenHues]

21 days.

[@bobbywalden1981]

If I want to feed the chicks medicated starter,will that hurt the mamma?

[@ChickenHues]

It should be fine. There isn’t an egg withdrawal time for amprollium, the medication, but it can be found in eggs for around ten days in tiny amounts.

[@kllgrogto5838]

Do you collect the eggs every time the hen lays or do you leave them in the nest until she decides to sit on them?

[@ChickenHues]

I collect eggs each day. If a hen goes broody then I start saving eggs to put under her.

[@kllgrogto5838]

@@ChickenHues thank you, i will be attempting to hatch eggs for the first time your video helped a lot

[@jacksonjames8277]

2019, we have our chicken crispy, and acorn. They are in the same coop. They are pretty much brody buddies. They are both first timers. Is this fine? We have a very large coop. I don't know...Is this safe? I don't want them to starve, or any chicks to die. Plz answer back as soon as you can!

[@ChickenHues]

This can work out fine, but it can also involve them switching eggs and getting Confused. Let them try and if it is causing problems then give them each a separate space. Keep us posted!

[@jacksonjames8277]

Thanks!

[@futurecaredesign]

I know this video is from some years ago, but I hope you still read the comments. I want to raise Icelandic Chickens from eggs I would get sent by post. Do you reckon I could take a few Silkie hens and order the eggs when they go broody? Is there a set time they go broody for instance?

[@ChickenHues]

I still read the comments! 😀 You can do that - I’ve done it in the past with Broody hens. A few things to remember, though.... shipped eggs can have a lower hatch rate, so you’ll want to candle and take the “bad” eggs out. Second, not all broody hens will follow through, so I only do this if I know the hen or have given her “test” eggs to make sure she’s serious. Finally, just know it can be tricky with a broody, but when it works it’s a great thing! Time depends on the hen. I’ve had hens that would sit forever, I think. Bantams tend towards that, so just give them fake eggs or infertile eggs to keep them occupied until you’re shipped eggs get there. Best of luck! Let us know if you try and how it goes!

[@futurecaredesign]

@@ChickenHues Yay for responsive youtubers! :D I am very grateful for your response. There is something about broody hens that just feels better than using an incubator. Especially as the chicks would have a proper mom, rather than having to figure things out on their own. It seems more natural that way. I will get Silkies for now, also because they are so cute and we have just had a baby :) And then when we have gotten to know them a bit, and when our gardening systems are more mature I will order the Icelandic Eggs. Any experience with those beautiful chickens perhaps?

[@futurecaredesign]

Also, I subscribed! You have some great content and your chooks look very healthy and happy ^_^ You are a proud momma, I can tell!

[@dayanariverraa5918]

What type of feed do you give the chicks?

[@ChickenHues]

Just chick starter feed that I get from TSC or my feed store.

[@willdurant216]

The key is “situated”. Most important. Broody hens don’t eat good eggs. They are smarter than humans. Just don’t worry about her. The “go out” window is based on daily temperature and weather conditions

[@winstonvinaykumar9006]

Hi, Does Incubators hatched chicks brood when they are adult?

[@ChickenHues]

Yes! They can! It often depends on the breed but I’ve had many chicks that were hatched in my incubator go broody.

[@somethingsgottagive8282]

When you let the mom n chicks go back with the flock, do you still provide chick food? Just wondering how you'd keep the other chickens from eating it all.

[@ChickenHues]

When I have chicks in the flock I make a chick starter available to everyone. I also give the chicks food in the evening when they are in the coop with their mom. I haven’t found a way to keep the other hens out of chick food, so they all get the same.

[@janw491]

My first time Broody and my first time too. She absolutely would not come off the nest. No eating or drinking and even pooing in the nest. I had to throw her out once a day and I did hand feed her twice a day. She is a wonderful momma and so much tamer/friendlier now! We bonded LOL

[@ChickenHues]

That’s great!

[@dannyo126]

Hi is it ok if I add eggs the next day after she has sat on eggs all night? Just a one time thing won't keep doing it just the second day.

[@ChickenHues]

Yes, that’s fine. Some may hatch a little earlier but not so much so that it should be a problem.

[@freeofusmartinez5199]

Do you have to move the hen? I have a broody hen but the other chickens do t bother her is she fine staying in the nesting box? I do t want to separate her from the flock because I don’t want the other girls to forget about her

[@ChickenHues]

You can leave her in! I have one right now that hatched in the coop with the rest of the flock.

[@ruthieharrison2609]

Can a Bantam rooster breed a full size hen? I have 3 bantams 2 roosters and 1 hen along with 3 full size hens same age haven’t started laying yet but the rooster is starting to try to breed the hens...

[@ChickenHues]

Yes!!! We had that happen and I didn’t think the bantam rooster could. Lol I was expecting a certain breed of chicks to hatch and they ended up looking like the bantam rooster! 😂

[@lancechris.2592]

I've a broody hen but I had to change her from her nest cuz the other chickens were annoying her but she's getting out 3 or 4 times a day! Won't that ruin the eggs? I really want them to hatch.

[@ChickenHues]

If she's just going out for a few minutes each time then they should be ok. Keep an eye on her - not all hens make good broody hens. I may be good idea to have an incubator on stand by just in case.

[@juicypickle3576]

Chicken Hues.

[@Blackcat-gy3kl]

No chickens are smart. If a hen is going broody, She should know how to take care of her eggs. AKA...hatch time, warmth, humidity, etc. They also know if their eggs are fertile or infertile. ;)

[@sulebo2153]

I just discovered this channel so I'm a little late on this topic but I can share my experience for others. I've had broody hen hatchings with 3 different mamas and they all show a pattern of starting out by leaving the nest once a day for decreasing amounts of time as the eggs develop. So for example, one of them left the nest every day late in the afternoon. She'd drink, eat a bit of grain, poop, get in her favorite sunny dust bath for about 20 minutes, then walk around foraging in the grass for a bit. Then suddenly she'd look up, turn and look at the coop and RUN inside, as if she'd heard an alarm go off! At the beginning of the brooding she'd stay out as long as an hour. As days progressed her time out got shorter and shorter until the last few days. Then she would still get up to eat drink and poop and but go right back in. So with the proper setup that gives her a private nesting box fenced in, with her own food and water bowls nearby, your hen will know what to do - they have very good instincts. All 3 of my hens dutifully sat on the eggs for 21 days, and then cared for the babies until they were fully feathered (6-7 weeks). Then suddenly, she pecked at them to stay away from her (chicken version of weaning I guess), and became eager to leave them and join her sisters in the adult flock. No looking back and no regrets haha! I don't have any experience with a hen that jumped up frequently.

[@sapphirapearce8143]

I tried this tonight with a broody silky and I think I didn't wait until late enough. She is sitting by the door like she wants out instead of on the eggs. Any suggestions on what to do next? Our regular coop would not be a safe place for her to sit on fertile eggs.

[@ChickenHues]

You can try putting her in a dog crate with the eggs or try again tonight. It doesn’t always work. I’ve had hens that won’t move. I’d suggest a smaller space and leave her there for a bit with some eggs. She may eventually (hours or that night) go back and sit on them.

[@sapphirapearce8143]

@@ChickenHues I tried again last night and waited until later. It seemed to work at the time, but in the morning she was pacing back and forth in the run and had upset the egg. I waited awhile but she didn't return to the egg. As soon as I let her out she rushed back to the other coop and continued being her broody self. I'll try again tonight in our dog kennel I use as a brooder but if that doesn't work what should I do? She hogs the nesting box all of the chickens like so I don't know if it's feasible to let her incubate eggs there.

[@cjasper8916]

Hi. I am new to chickens. I have a young broody silkie hen. She is small for a silkie, and was being tormented in the big coop where I have my easter egger rooster. She did not want to mate and the other hens wouldn't leave her alone. I took her out and put her in a smaller coop/run with 3 younger silkies. Now she's broody. and stopped laying. I was advised to give her a couple fertilized eggs from the big coop to hatch rather than break her, so she is sitting on one silkie egg and one ameraucana egg. I candled them a couple days ago and both have chicks. Today is day 15. Can I leave her in the smaller coop when they hatch? The oldest of the 3 younger silkies with her turns out is a rooster - he just started crowing. The other 2 it's too soon to tell. Will the baby chicks be ok in there with them or should I take her and the eggs out before they hatch? I really don't have another place to put her (or them) and I am anxious about it. Thanks.

[@ChickenHues]

It really depends on how much room you have there. She will get pretty violent to protect the chicks, so they all need room to get out of each other’s way. A silkie is small, so you may be able to use a big dog kennel if you have to move her.

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

I came here to see if I could add some extra incubator eggs to my broody hen I checked some of her eggs and they did not seem as far along as I thought she has been on them at least two weeks so I guess I’ll see what happens I am about ready to do lock down in the incubator maybe I’ll wait a few hours and research some more

[@ChickenHues]

I don’t recommend it. She will either leave the later ones behind to take of the chicks, or not leave with the new chicks to keep sitting.

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

@@ChickenHues she cannot really leave and has not budged from the secluded nest box…

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

I had two older chicks visit her today from “next door” she clucked a welcome. (After hearing videos of socializing)

[@billytodd9929]

Is it OK for young chick's to free range with old hens an roster that they mom came from

[@ChickenHues]

If the mom is raising them it should be ok if they’ve all been around each other. If you raised then, then no. They will need to be older and given lots of room to get away from the other adults.