First 2020 set broody

[windwalkingwolf]

I've had several broodies so far this year. One momma is raising 4 chicks (none of them hers) and 4 ducklings. It's going swimmingly, sometimes literally. Shhhh, don't tell her.

[KimChick]

Another update:
When I let the hens out to free range, I also open the partition door to let out mother hen and all the chicks. The incubator chicks are about 6 wks old and the broody hen chick is about 4.5 weeks. They youngest chick is noticeably smaller but all are getting along.
The entire flock is getting used to each other. There have only been minor skirmishes. The hens and chicks go to each others' food dishes to peck at what's left from the morning feed.
Not all the chicks make it out of the fenced yard all at once; only some follow mother hen closely enough. When she exits the pen, she practically flies around to the front of the barn where all the other hens aren't.
At around 4:30, when we get the flock back into the yard, we get mother hen and the chicks in first.

[Farrier1987]

That hen that I posted about that broke the egg and coated all the others. None of them hatched, Gave her more eggs, hope she has another three weeks dedication. Its mostly worked for me before, but some times they will break during that second set.

[Jaye]

@Farrier1987 , I wonder if it is not really a good idea to have her set a second time in July with the heat and humidity in the forecast?

[Killerbunny]

@Farrier1987 I had a heat problem yesterday with a turkey broody. SHe got on the wrong side of the fence to the kids and got into a stress state. PAnting severely etc. I ended up with ice packs under her wings to cool and calm her. She's OK today but it was a good job I was around!

[Jaye]

Ours are showing sings of heat stress too, in spite of frequent water changes, watermelon treats and frozen water bottle exchanges in the chicken waterers. The chickens are faring a bit better because their housing/pen is under trees, so dappled sunlight, except in the mornings.
The quail in the small tractor get slim line freezer packs to stand on, in addition to 2-3 times a day water changes. They haven't cottoned on to the joy of watermelon yet, but they are still young, so that will change. Thanks for the tip on ice packs under their wings, @Killerbunny . I have several darker feathered hens who historically haven't taken the higher temperatures well, so may try that in the coming days.

[Killerbunny]

@Jaye just don't put it directly onto her skin. Use a cloth or such.

[Jaye]

Thanks for the tip, @Killerbunny . I haven't tried on any of the hens yet, because so far watermelon and frozen water bottles in their waterer has been sufficient. Food Basics has large size watermelons for $3.88 this week, BTW

[Killerbunny]

Good to knpow, thanks @Jaye !

[KimChick]

When I let out our birds, they head straight for the shade under the small barn lean-to, which is a nice breezeway. Mother hen and the young ones, head in the opposite direction to the shade of a small evergreen.