BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[DesertChic]

Last winter we had temps as low as negative 43*F...not factoring wind chill. That's cold and my birds and goats did just fine.

I really don't miss that kind of weather. I really don't.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

We've had unusually warm weather this fall. One of my cornish pullets is missing and I believe she has gone broody. Of course, just before winter hit. There's no evidence of a predator mishap, none of my other chickens are missing- and she likes to lay her eggs everywhere but the nest boxes. I pulled her off her nest that I did find a few times beforehand, she was staying too long on the nest all puffed up- so that's why I think she's laid some eggs somewhere else and gone broody. I've looked everywhere I thought she might be, with no luck. I snowed last night, and we got freezing rain on top of that, so there's a water source for her but no food. I've seen no evidence of broody poops and while there is some food outside for the other chickens during the day I have not seen her since she disappeared. Unfortunately the freezing rain was too thick to show footprints this morning. If she does hatch chicks they will be due in mid january- has anybody had a broody that survived outside in winter? Our temperatures aren't too bad here (Lately zero fahrenheit or so is as low as it's gotten). She was a favourite, do you think there's a chance she'll make it?

On the other side, I keep thinking it would not be wise to continue the genes of a hen that lays eggs all over the countryside rather than in a nest box and goes broody in winter............

 

[DesertChic]

We've had unusually warm weather this fall. One of my cornish pullets is missing and I believe she has gone broody. Of course, just before winter hit. There's no evidence of a predator mishap, none of my other chickens are missing- and she likes to lay her eggs everywhere but the nest boxes. I pulled her off her nest that I did find a few times beforehand, she was staying too long on the nest all puffed up- so that's why I think she's laid some eggs somewhere else and gone broody. I've looked everywhere I thought she might be, with no luck. I snowed last night, and we got freezing rain on top of that, so there's a water source for her but no food. I've seen no evidence of broody poops and while there is some food outside for the other chickens during the day I have not seen her since she disappeared. Unfortunately the freezing rain was too thick to show footprints this morning. If she does hatch chicks they will be due in mid january- has anybody had a broody that survived outside in winter? Our temperatures aren't too bad here (Lately zero fahrenheit or so is as low as it's gotten). She was a favourite, do you think there's a chance she'll make it?

On the other side, I keep thinking it would not be wise to continue the genes of a hen that lays eggs all over the countryside rather than in a nest box and goes broody in winter............

Pardon my ignorance, but what are "broody poops"?

I'm down to two broody hens now from five, so I definitely empathize with your frustration. Luckily both of my girls have chosen to occupy nesting boxes instead of playing hide and seek, but it's no less annoying. One is particularly cranky and pecks pretty darn hard when I remove her from the box. I honestly have never liked this bird anyway and only kept her for the eggs, so I may just cull her after I finish culling some extra cockerels. The other is grumpy about being relocated by me, but only strikes at other chickens that disturb her, not at me. I think I'll keep her.

 

[Kassaundra]

Pardon my ignorance, but what are "broody poops"?

I'm down to two broody hens now from five, so I definitely empathize with your frustration. Luckily both of my girls have chosen to occupy nesting boxes instead of playing hide and seek, but it's no less annoying. One is particularly cranky and pecks pretty darn hard when I remove her from the box. I honestly have never liked this bird anyway and only kept her for the eggs, so I may just cull her after I finish culling some extra cockerels. The other is grumpy about being relocated by me, but only strikes at other chickens that disturb her, not at me. I think I'll keep her.

Broody hens save up their poop for the day and do one massive, mondo, smelly poop.

 

[Beekissed]

Or for several days....

Black, tarry looking, huge and stinky.

 

[hellbender]

Pardon my ignorance, but what are "broody poops"?

I'm down to two broody hens now from five, so I definitely empathize with your frustration. Luckily both of my girls have chosen to occupy nesting boxes instead of playing hide and seek, but it's no less annoying. One is particularly cranky and pecks pretty darn hard when I remove her from the box. I honestly have never liked this bird anyway and only kept her for the eggs, so I may just cull her after I finish culling some extra cockerels. The other is grumpy about being relocated by me, but only strikes at other chickens that disturb her, not at me. I think I'll keep her.

You might think about selling the hen you don't like....some folks will pay well for a hen that is a true broody. Or you could keep her. I'm pretty well situated if the power grid goes down for a protracted period of time but I still keep a few good broodies around, despite their being major pains in the butt sometimes. A farmer without jeans, long sleeves and good gloves is liable to get flogged or pecked once in a while...

A broody hen can become a nuisance, especially if you're not in the mood or need for one at a particular time but consider my situation. I have a three hundred pound + buck goat that thinks he's in love with me and every chance he get, he tries to take our relationship to another level. He doesn't even like Jason or Ariel so they are 'elected' to care for all his needs. I do really like this big fella and he cuts the mustard with the gals but I refuse to be part of his kinky fantasies.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Has anyone had a pullet/hen lay an egg from the roost? Usually my girls are very good about using their nest boxes, but I found a cracked one under the roost today while cleaning. (They can't get back there from floor level...)

- Ant Farm

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Pardon my ignorance, but what are "broody poops"?

Really large ones- they poop only when they come off the nest, so they are way bigger than normal.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Has anyone had a pullet/hen lay an egg from the roost? Usually my girls are very good about using their nest boxes, but I found a cracked one under the roost today while cleaning. (They can't get back there from floor level...)

- Ant Farm

Yes I've seen it happen particularly when they are just starting to lay. Sometimes the shells are weird too (thin or missing), or the egg size is very small.

 

[bnjrob]

Has anyone had a pullet/hen lay an egg from the roost? Usually my girls are very good about using their nest boxes, but I found a cracked one under the roost today while cleaning. (They can't get back there from floor level...)

- Ant Farm

Yes, it's annoying. I swear some of them just go around farting eggs out all over the place like they can't figure out that they are laying eggs so they should go stick their butt into a nest box or at least make a nest on the ground.