Annoyed: Want to have hen raised chicks!

[Mahonri]

I sold a pure bred Blue Ameraucana to a fellow BYCer and it went broody. She had eggs in her incubator so when they hatched, she just put all of them under her at night.

Wish I'd ever have that kind of luck. I've got 38 in a brooder box in the kitchen right now and they are LABOR INTENSIVE.

 

[jersy87]

Ive wanted to get the amercanuas. But not sure where to get them. or if they would be a good fit.


Are barred rocks broody??

I dont want to incubate eggs I want the hens to do it themselves..

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
The one BR that I have is clucking now and about to go broody. I think it depends on the individual bird and breed more than anything. BR's are not really supposed to go broody, but I guess they will if the conditions are right.

 

[jersy87]

okay! so cochins are the broodiest breed???

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
Very much so! Silkies come in a close 2nd. Silkies are good broodies, but are kind of small.

 

[lockedhearts]

Cochins are the best bet, I just had one hatch out 4 and another sitting on 8 eggs. Of course there are also some hens , no matter the breed that can go broody. Last year I had a Mottled Houdan go broody and raise 12, and my Bantam EE has 5 right now. Silkies are known for it although the hen I has has not gone broody for me.

 

[jersy87]

Well i guess Ill pass on the amercanuas from the hatchery seeing not true and go get some cochins...
what is the best of them.. i seen different kinds

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
From our experience, yes. But. When you have one go broody, you need to put it in a seperate pen. This solves issues with egg swapping, and hen eviction, that flocks tend to do.
And, it is important to ake sure the hen gets off the nest to eat, drink nad poop once per day.
More often then not, since back yard flocks are not wild, you have to haul them off the nest each day, for a few minutes.

Other things to note about Cochins. They are not mature until 9 months of age. They do lay the same amount of eggs as production layers, but it is spread out more, so you get a longer time period of eggs out of them.

You might be able to find someone near you that has pullets for sale. That can shorten the waiting period for you.
Just make sure to practice good isolation for a couple of weeks first.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
THey are all the same. Just different colorations.
We have silver laced, black, white, golden laced and buff.
They are all the same, except for color.

ETA: except there is a difference between bantams and standards. 2 pounds versus 9+!

 

[jersy87]

Well cant you just let them be chickens and take care of their kids.