6 week broody, will she continue to sit?

[Fluffbuttnewbie]

Hi, thats pretty much my question...I have a Splash Astrolorp, 13 months old, that already went broody 3 times. This last time, she is been at it for over 6 weeks. I take the eggs, kick her out, lock her out, she seems fine and then right back at it. Is it too late in the game to give her some fertilized eggs? What are the chances she'll see it through for another 3 weeks?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Depends how physically depleted she is. If she's getting too pale I would break her and expect her to be broody again in a few weeks. If she still has color and is clucking like a broody I would give her eggs, and see.

 

[Fluffbuttnewbie]

Hi, thats pretty much my question...I have a Splash Astrolorp, 13 months old, that already went broody 3 times. This last time, she is been at it for over 6 weeks. I take the eggs, kick her out, lock her out, she seems fine and then right back at it. Is it too late in the game to give her some fertilized eggs? What are the chances she'll see it through for another 3 weeks?

Just wanted to give everyone an update, just in case another newbie was looking for the info.

While I was contemplating of what to do with my persistent broody, another one decided to join her. So, I went and got 6 eggs and stuck 3 under each. They both successfully sat and hatched 4 chicks two days ago and for good measure I went ahead and added 4 more from TS, just because they had a shipment of cuties the same day of the hatch, lol. With all of that said, one of my broodies, and first time mama, sat a total of 9 weeks on eggs, from April 4th to June 5h. So, I guess some hens just don't give up after 3 weeks.

 

[Perris]

congratulations on your hatch! And on having such a committed broody.

Don't forget to give the long-serving broody lots of tlc now; her reserves will be quite depleted, and the chicks will get more and more demanding over the next few weeks, so as much good food as she wants would be my course of action in such circumstances. Good luck!

 

[Fluffbuttnewbie]

congratulations on your hatch! And on having such a committed broody.

Don't forget to give the long-serving broody lots of tlc now; her reserves will be quite depleted, and the chicks will get more and more demanding over the next few weeks, so as much good food as she wants would be my course of action in such circumstances. Good luck!

Thank you! I have been sneaking in some fat mealworms to her and bringing her some fruit/veggie/eggs while she was sitting. Last 2 days, I'm giving them and chicks some eggs as well. Her comb is still a nice color and she still looks really pretty for such a long time sitting.