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Broody hen, need some beginner help

post #1 of 7
Thread Starter 

We have 5 hens that are 13 months old. I am pretty sure 1 of them is broody. So, I need some basic beginner help. I would like to get some eggs to have her sit on and yes I know they should be fertile ;). How many should I get? Do I just slip them under her? Do I move her or leave her and then move her once they start hatching? Any other advice would be appreciated.

*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
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*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
post #2 of 7

A good amount would be 3-9 (depending how big your chicken is) You can slip them under her at night, that's what I do. You can let her be when they hatch.

 

Also, make sure she has a full water and food source, most of the time broodies come out 1-3 times a day, and if they miss their food and water, it's not good. 

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

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It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

Reply
post #3 of 7
Thread Starter 

Thanks! She is a Buff Orpington and pretty big. I am thinking I may go buy 6 eggs tomorrow. I have searched and I think I found most of the info that I need. Our coop has 5 hens with 3 nest boxes in the hen house. If she does hatch some chicks can I leave them in there with the other hens or do I need to take them out? Last year we bought a Silkie and they killed her. I now know that I shouldn't have bought a smaller hen and not only 1. So will the chicks be ok in there?


 

*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
post #4 of 7

Momma hen should make everyone else leave her babies alone. The older hens might peck a "get out of my way" peck, but no chasing or serious injury. I like to leave everyone together so there's not problems introducing the babies later.

 

A dual purpose hen can easily fit 8 eggs.

 

What do you plan to do with the roosters you hatch out?

Rachel BB
 

Well, the kittens aren't so cute anymore and the easter egger cockerels are in the freezer. Plus, I think offering them as "prizes" scared folks off! So, I'm still posting quotes, if you know it let me know. I'm very enamored of this new one, it may hang around for a while!

 

"If I'd known the world was ending I'd have brought better books"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply

Rachel BB
 

Well, the kittens aren't so cute anymore and the easter egger cockerels are in the freezer. Plus, I think offering them as "prizes" scared folks off! So, I'm still posting quotes, if you know it let me know. I'm very enamored of this new one, it may hang around for a while!

 

"If I'd known the world was ending I'd have brought better books"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply
post #5 of 7
Thread Starter 

Well, I'm not quite sure yet. We are almost at coop capacity right now. So either my hubby builds another coop, which is unlikely, or we give all the chicks away, but keep 1 rooster. My parents have been talking about getting chickens, so this may be their push.
 

*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
post #6 of 7

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply
post #7 of 7
Thread Starter 

Thanks!

 

We bought and set 10 eggs under her and she pushed 1 out right away. So, as of right now today is day 2 and she has 9 eggs. We'll see what happens. Hopefully we have baby chicks in a few weeks.

*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
*Liz* married to Alex, mama to 4 little ones. We have chicks!!! 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock
Reply
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