Broody hens ??

Nsampsel said:

I'm WAITING for a broody hen & you are stuck with all of them

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southdakota said:

I have a question for those of you who have used broody hens to incubate eggs. My black copper maran has gone broody, for over a month now. Of course she is not laying eggs. I have taken her off the nest multiple times but she keeps going back. I would very much like for her to start laying eggs again. I can put the eggs she is sitting on (not her eggs, from the other hens) under another broody. She is stubborn and persistant and enough is enough. I have a large dog crate I could put her in to keep her off the nest if anyone thinks that would help?

She will continue to set unless they hatch or are taken away. The dog crate may work, but a wire floor is much better. If you use the crate, don't use any bedding in it.

I have more broody hens then I know what to do with. I have three silkies sitting and the black copper maran, two buff orpingtons and a blue andalusian/black australorp cross. I had three ameracaunas go broody in the same large nest, sit on 40 eggs and only hatch 6 and are raising 4. All three hens are mothering these 4 chicks. Would you suggest that I leave the three to be a commune type mother group? Or should I pull two of the hens to another coop to get them to start laying again? It seems such a waste to let three nice hens stop laying to raise four chicks.

Yep, one mama is enough.

My last question, I have a golden campine that is sitting on eggs in my potting cabinet. It is quite the obstacle course for her to get in there and out every day for food and water. Should I move her to a crate with her eggs? THere is no way if she hatches any chicks that they can get out of the potting cabinet. Or should I wait until she hatches if she does and then move her and the chicks?

Moving a broody is always a crap shoot. I would wait til she hatches them, if you can, but timing is critical. The chicks should be dry and ya gotta catch her before she moves. The window is quite narrow, but if ya pay attention, it can be done. Then ya gotta watch her in the evening to be sure she doesn't try to take them back in there for the night.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. I had broodys last year that raised large broods, one hen raised 11 and another raised 9...I do enjoy seeing the mother hens taking their chicks out and about as they all free range during the day.

Sounds like you are in for all kinds of fun. Good luck..........Pop

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