a non setting breed ging broody? anyone?

[the4heathernsmom]

Ok we have had some issues lately with new and older chickens in our flock and have gotten a handle on them. Well they are starting to lay again and I left some 3 day old eggs in a nest as we had been using antibiotic and I ran out of golfballs so just left those in there. Well thought I heard something and went out there and low and behold a BROWN LEGHORN hen is sitting on the nest and growled at me when I walked over. Ok I thought they were non-setters so went and looked again and sure enough breed standard says non setters....these are pure bred birds from murray mc murray about 12-18 months old. What do you think?

 

[blurose]

The term "nonsetter" really just means that they won't try to go broody on you at the drop of a hat like silkies are want to do.

It also means that when they do try to go broody, its pretty easy to get them to forget the idea. However, if you give a chicken a few eggs in one place for a few days, they'll think they need to go broody on you. Realistically, if any breed of chicken was a hard and true "nonsetter" they would soon become extinct, wouldn't they. Just remove eggs from under the hen, keep all eggs picked up from the nest daily, pick up the hen at least a couple of times a day and evict her off of the nest and she'll soon change her mind.

At least that works for me. However, when I get unable to collect the eggs daily myself and can't get anyone else to do it, my "nonsetters" start trying to go broody on me too.

Good luck

 

[Lollipop]

I think that is fantastic. However, I`m also curious to find out if she will actually follow through and hatch some eggs. Ya gonna try her?......Pop

 

[the4heathernsmom]

I think I am going to let her and see what happens if she is truly serious. We are not getting many eggs anyways and what we do get we are feeding to pigs because of all the meds so I may just try and stick some more under her and see what happens. Knowing my luck she will be "pretending" on me lol.

 

[blurose]

The meds you are giving your birds and the reasons for giving it to them can effect the viability of the eggs, but not always. Just thought I'd mention that.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

Thanks !!!

 

[HBuehler]

I have a red leghorn that hatched 8 chicks..none hers and I dare most to try and touch those chicks. They are now about 6 weeks old and Cranky isn't about to give those chicks up.
The problem with books and charts is chickens can't read them

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
My thoughts exactly, I have a buff orphington, that gets off the nest quick so no one thinks she want to sit, the charts are the usual but there will always be one that has to prove the charts wrong.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

well I don't know quite what to think she is only sitting at night and sometimes periodically durin the day. Hmmmmm maybe a couple more days will tell.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Then I would give her the boot out of the nest at night, if she isnt sitting during the day she is just being lazy and not roosting.