Using A Broody Hen

Hatching chicks with a broody hen is the most natural (and often easiest) method! A good broody does most of the work for you — regulating heat, humidity, turning eggs, and protecting chicks.

What is a broody hen?

A broody is a hen whose instincts tell her to sit on eggs and hatch them.
You’ll know she’s broody when she:

Stays on the nest most of the day and night
Puffs up, growls, or pecks when you reach under her
Plucks feathers from her breast (to warm eggs with skin contact)
Stops laying new eggs

Common broody breeds: Silkie, Cochin, Orpington, Wyandotte, Sussex, and Brahma.

Choose the Right Eggs

Use fertile eggs (from a flock with a rooster or purchased from a breeder).
Select clean, well-shaped, uncracked eggs — not extra-large or tiny.
Mark each egg lightly with a pencil “X” so you can tell which ones are part of the clutch.
Place 10–12 eggs max under a large hen (fewer for smaller breeds).

The Incubation Period (Days 1–21)

Chicken eggs take about 21 days to hatch.
The broody will:
- Turn the eggs several times daily.
- Leave the nest briefly to eat, drink, and dust-bathe (about 15–20 minutes per day).
- Keep the temperature and humidity perfect instinctively.
You just need to:
- Ensure fresh food and water nearby.
- Remove newly laid eggs (other hens might sneak them in).

Optional: Candle the eggs around Day 7 and Day 14 to check development (only if the hen is calm and you can safely do it without stressing her).

After the Hatch

Leave the new chicks with their mother for at least 24 hours so they can dry off and bond.
She’ll keep them warm under her body (“brooding”) and teach them to eat and drink.
Provide:
- Chick starter crumble (18–20% protein, medicated optional).
- Shallow water dish with marbles or stones for safety.
- Low-sided chick feeder for easy access.
Keep the mother and chicks separate from adult chickens for the first week or two, to prevent bullying.

When to Rejoin the Flock: Once chicks are fully feathered (around 5–6 weeks) and can handle cooler temps, you can slowly reintroduce them. The mother hen often helps protect them during this transition.

Tips for Success: Always mark or separate the broody hen's clutch — hens in a communal coop often lay new eggs in her nest. If you must move her to a private nest, do it at night when she’s calm and less likely to abandon the eggs. Watch for mites and lice — broody hens are more vulnerable since they sit still for long periods. Provide a small dust bath area nearby so she can clean herself during short breaks.