Another First Broody wth questions

[nursemeh]

My question is does the behavior of the broody hen reveal how good of a mommy she will be?

This hen is a year old BA and this is her first time to "go broody" and also my first experience with it. Ive read about it, but its something to see in real life!

I have been trying to "break" this broody for the last 48 hours. She is DESPERATE to get into the nest area so she is confined to a dog kennel area. She is so frantic and has been desperately trying to get to that nest, almost to the point of hurting herself. She is very agitated, only settling at dusk finally.

Again, does this mean she would make a better mother if she is harder to "break"?

I am wondering, because if it keeps being so hard to break her, I thought about getting some fertile eggs to place under her. It is so sad to watch her in such agony!

Does anyone know if a BA can sit on Bantam eggs? That's all I would have room to add to our flock

 

[Bec]

Sounds like she will be a dedicated mom!!! I think you should let her try, if she's not a good mommy (which some just aren't) you can raise the babies in a brooder!

I had a broody momma who did not keep a good leash on her kids and they were everywhere! Unfortunately, that led to many losses. I have several other mommas that would not let their kids out of their site and if they wandered, they call them back quickly! The other one would fly over the fence and not even care about leaving her babies behind..poor kids

They were all about the same as far as broodiness, but it sounds like yours in bound and determined to be a broody!! Good luck!!

 

[heyeddah]

Don't know about the link to good broody and good momma is, but I have two hens that were determined to hatch everyone's eggs. They hatched 6 and 5 survived. Fortunately I was able to keep them in an old coop and they like each other. Yesterday I tried to pick up a chick and they went nuts on me. This silkie and frizzle hen were my two most friendly and loving prior to becoming moms."Hands off the chicks lady!" Hope you can find some eggs for her. Good luck

 

[nursemeh]

thanks for the replies- going out to check on her now!