How to Support a Broody Hen in Hatching and Raising Chicks?

Thinking about hatching eggs with your chickens? A broody hen can be your best friend. These devoted mamas have a natural instinct to sit on eggs and care for chicks. They’ll take care of all the hard work, often with better results than artificial incubators.

While broody hens are experts at hatching, you can still lend a helping hand. With a few simple tips, you can support your feathered friend through the process of hatching eggs and raising chicks. It’s a great way to grow your backyard flock without much fuss.

What Happens When a Hen Goes Broody?

A hen may suddenly decide she wants to be a mom. This is called going broody. You’ll notice big changes in her behavior. She’ll spend almost all day sitting on her nest. She only gets up once or twice to grab a quick snack and drink.

When broody, your hen might get extra cranky. She may puff up her feathers and growl at you if you try to take her eggs. She might even peck at your hand! She’ll also be grumpy with the other chickens.

Here are some signs your hen is broody:

• Stays on the nest all day
• Gets mad if you touch her eggs
• Puffs up and makes angry noises
• Only leaves the nest briefly to eat and drink

Helping Your Broody Hen Hatch Chicks

Getting Good Eggs

When your hen goes broody, she’ll want to sit on eggs. If you have a rooster, your eggs are likely fertile. No rooster? No problem! You can get fertile eggs from friends, local farms, or even by mail.

A big hen can sit on up to 12 eggs. Remember, not all eggs will hatch, so it’s good to have extras. While you’re waiting for fertile eggs, you can use fake ones to keep your hen happy.

To check if eggs are fertile, try candling them. This means shining a light through the egg to see inside. It’s a neat trick that can tell you a lot about the egg’s progress.

Making a Cozy Spot

Broody hens like quiet, dark places. In nature, they’d find a hidden spot away from others. In your coop, they might pick a nesting box.

It’s best to give your broody hen her own space. This keeps her and the eggs safe from other chickens. It also makes things easier when the chicks hatch.

The first time we let a hen hatch eggs, we kept her in the main coop. It was fine at first, but got tricky when the chicks hatched. The other chickens were too curious!

Building a Special Coop

A broody coop doesn’t need to be fancy. Aim for about 3×3 feet. This gives room for:

• A cozy nest
• Food and water
• Space to stretch

Your broody hen will also need a small, safe outdoor area for when the chicks hatch.

Here are some coop ideas:

1. Split your main coop
2. Build a mini coop
3. Use a pre-made small coop from a farm store

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s:

• Dark
• Well-ventilated
• Safe from weather and predators

Set up the coop before moving your hen. Add clean bedding, fresh water, and food. Put the food a bit away from the nest. This encourages your hen to get up and move around.

If you can, add a camera to watch without disturbing her.

Moving Your Broody Hen

Move your hen at night. She’s less likely to try to go back to her old spot. If she’s already sitting on eggs, move those too. Be gentle and check under her wings for hidden eggs.

Move the eggs first, then place her near them. Don’t put her directly on the eggs to avoid accidents.

Your hen might be restless for a day or two after moving. That’s normal. Don’t add new eggs until she settles down.

If your hen is broody but doesn’t have eggs yet, move her and wait a week before adding eggs. You can use fake eggs to keep her interested. If she stays put for a week, she’s ready for real eggs.

Sometimes hens change their minds after moving. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan, like an incubator, just in case.

Putting in the Eggs

Adding eggs to your broody hen’s nest is easy if you time it right. Here’s what to do:

1. Number the eggs with a pencil. This helps you track their progress.
2. Wait for night or when your hen gets up to eat.
3. Gently place the eggs in the nest.

Your hen will likely treat these eggs just like her own. She’ll keep them warm and turn them regularly.

Remember, broody hens are very dedicated. They put the eggs’ needs before their own. With your help, your broody hen can successfully hatch and raise a new batch of chicks!

Taking Care of Your Sitting Hen During Egg Incubation

Offer Fresh Food and Water Daily

Your broody hen won’t eat or drink much while she’s sitting on eggs. Make sure to change her water every day and keep it clean. Switch her food to a high-protein chick starter feed with 18-20% protein. This helps the hen and will be perfect for the chicks when they hatch.

Watch your hen to make sure she leaves the nest at least once a day. If she doesn’t, gently pick her up and put her by the food and water. Some hens are so focused on their eggs they forget to take care of themselves!

Check Egg Progress with a Light

After about a week, you can check the eggs using a special light called a candler. Look for veins or a tiny embryo inside. If an egg is clear, smells bad, or has a red ring, take it out of the nest. Your hen might do this on her own, but it’s good to help her out.

Here’s a quick guide to egg checking:

1. Wait until the hen leaves the nest
2. Hold each egg up to the candler
3. Look for signs of growth inside
4. Remove any bad eggs

Tidy Up the Nesting Spot

Keep your hen’s area clean to protect her and the eggs. When she takes a break, scoop out any poop and change the bedding. Get rid of any cracked or smelly eggs you find. A clean nest is a happy nest!

Get Ready for Chick Arrival

Chicks usually hatch around day 21, but it can happen a bit earlier or later. Here’s what to do as hatching day gets close:

• Do a final check around day 17
• Fill up the food and water
• Put marbles in the water to keep chicks safe
• Give your hen some space and quiet

It’s best to leave your hen alone during hatching. She knows what to do and needs to focus on her babies. She’ll move the eggs around and keep them at the right temperature and humidity.

You might want to set up a camera to watch without bothering her. Hatching can take a few days, and your hen won’t leave the nest during this time. You’ll know it’s happening when you see eggshells or tiny chicks peeking out.

When all the chicks are dry and fluffy, your hen will lead them to food and water. If there are eggs left in the nest, they probably won’t hatch. Wait a bit to see if she goes back, but if not, you can clean out the nest.

Just in case, have a warm brooder ready. Sometimes hens might leave their chicks, and you’ll need to step in to care for them.

Remember, your broody hen is working hard to bring new life into the world. With a little help from you, she’ll be a proud mama in no time!