2018 Newbie Chat!

[Cbarr00]

So everyone who has had a broody pullet so far I have some questions!

1.) Did your pullets show signs of broodiness leading up to the brooding? (I noticed cricket would lay on her eggs for longer periods.)
2.) What age did they become broody? (Cricket is only 24 weeks)
3.) Is it normal for a pullet not hen to become broody or could I have a serial broody on my hands?
4.) We separated the cockerel about 2 weeks ago, what are the chances she's sitting on fertilized eggs? (I'm planning on cracking open some eggs today to check as well)

And in case you haven't guessed my Cricket is broody

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Answers to above questions.
I’ve had 5 different Broody’s this summer.
#1) mine showed signs beforehand, sitting on egg after laying for over an hour. During which they each started to pull out feathers to be able to keep eggs warm.
#2)2 of the 5 were hatched 12/18. The other 3 were hatched 2/5. Around the same age as cricket.
#3) it’s not common for pullets to become broody. Most breeds have had it bred out of them. It can happen though and I’ve talked with at least ten other people who’ve had a broody Pullet this year!
#4) eggs can be fertilized up to two weeks before they lay, I think you’re in the clear.

Now I have a question for you! What breed is cricket?!! Most of my broodys have been Ameraucana, one was an Australorp and one an EE.

 

[Cbarr00]

@PNW_Peepers thank you for the info! She is Speckled Sussex!

 

[JMotuzick]

Our big foot is about 14 months when she went broody. I didn’t notice beforehand if she was sitting a lot or not. She is a chochin from Meyers if that matters.

 

[Cbarr00]

Since it's been raining here all week we decided to pull the boys out of the freezer and make caldo de pollo con arroz.


I am really considering letting the boys mate and putting fertilized eggs under cricket. More hens plus extra cockerels to cull sounds tempting.

 

[CannedMonster]

The 3 Wyandotte bullies went bye bye last night!!

And...guess who laid an egg this morning?
Agatha!
It’s pink at the top of the pic.
The other one is a ceramic fake egg.

Emily sat in the box for a while this morning too. No egg yet though.
I really think they’ve been so worried and anxious about getting trapped in the coop by the Wyandottes that they wouldn’t lay.
Everyone was more relaxed.

My friend Kat said that the 3 Wyandotte hens and Hector (my former roo- a bantam Dark Brahma) remembered each other!
She said the Wyandottes broke out of their crate to be with him lol.

And last night we were so busy talking that I didn’t realize the babies were locked out of the coop when it got dark!
I went out there and found 1 wandering around and the other 11 were piled on top of the nesting box lid!!
I felt so bad...

 

[Anna Ranieri]

The 3 Wyandotte bullies went bye bye last night!!

And...guess who laid an egg this morning?
Agatha!
It’s pink at the top of the pic.
The other one is a ceramic fake egg.
View attachment 1528758

Emily sat in the box for a while this morning too. No egg yet though.
I really think they’ve been so worried and anxious about getting trapped in the coop by the Wyandottes that they wouldn’t lay.
Everyone was more relaxed.

My friend Kat said that the 3 Wyandotte hens and Hector (my former roo- a bantam Dark Brahma) remembered each other!
She said the Wyandottes broke out of their crate to be with him lol.

And last night we were so busy talking that I didn’t realize the babies were locked out of the coop when it got dark!
I went out there and found 1 wandering around and the other 11 were piled on top of the nesting box lid!!
I felt so bad...

Awwww well done Agatha, this is great news And great news about the Wyandottes - peace will be restored

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Let the chickens out for some well supervised free ranging since I wasn't hearing the hawks around. Husband was patrolling around the yard with a nerf gun ready to shoot down any unsuspecting hawks. XD

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Still no improvement on Wally Bird. He sounds awful when he breathes or crows. I felt his crop tonight and it’s like a big knot. I feel awful for him.

 

[CannedMonster]

Still no improvement on Wally Bird. He sounds awful when he breathes or crows. I felt his crop tonight and it’s like a big knot. I feel awful for him.

I’m sorry your boy is going through this!
I really hope it clears up quickly