Brooding

[GreenGoddess]

You don't need to get the "extras".. A broody will sit on as many eggs as you will give her or absolutely none..

Goddess

 

[Kellichick]

Really? So, I can just leave some of the Orp's eggs in the nest box and add a few RIR eggs and she'll do the rest, IF she's seriously broody? It's the RIR's I want the most. They lay a bigger egg.

 

[nwfl]

Just wait for the weather to warm up. You will know when your hens are broody. ? Your hens are not quite a year? Wait for your orpingtons to get the feel of spring then you will experience what broody is. My buff orps get broody nearly every year after their first winter. They are great layers, but I would suggest isolation when they begin to really set. Read up, research and plan. But wait till spring or summer.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Quote:
Forgive me in advance.. That may be how you do things but it's not the way everyone does... A hen will know what to do when the chicks hatch.. She will keep them warm and teach them how to eat/drink..

If he OP would like to put some eggs under a possible broody, there is nothing wrong with that and no one on this site has the right to say, "no, you aren't allowed to do that.". We are on this site for guidance, advice and support.. The choice is ulimately the OP's and he only thing we can do is suggest or advise...

Is letting a broody sit on eggs in the middle of winter ideal? Of course not... But, there is no "timing" with broodies... She may or may no go broody again in he spring.. A lot depends if her girls are from hatchery stock or not also..

There are plenty of people who would advise against incubating this time of year also but there are LOTS of us doing it.. The biggest concern is keeping the chicks warm and safe from other chickens or predators.. As long as those two things are not an issue, there is nothing wrong with hatching in he middle of winter...

Goddess

 

[GreenGoddess]

Quote:
Yes.. You can go ahead and let her sit on whatever eggs you want her to as long as you understand that she may or may not be broody and you may or may not get chicks.. If you are fine with the outcome either way, go for it!

Goddess

 

[nwfl]

Kellichick, my last post had a smile in it. I've had really good experiences with my BOs brooding in warmer weather, that's all.

 

[Kellichick]

It shouldn't be lower than 40 the rest of Feb. here and only get warmer from here on out. I can always try more than once, too, I guess.....Learning experiences for the new egg! LOL!

 

[Kellichick]

OH! I didn't even see your post until I had already posted before! LOL!
Further preparation is due and warmer weather will be a given by the time I get some of these prep's taken care of. I welcome and desire all the advise I can get and appreciate it all as well. I'm still a chicken virgin at some of this! LOL!

 

[chickenmomma2]

Kelli, I have 8 Buffs and so far 2 have gone brood. The first one was a very good momma. The 2nd was a little confused and kept switching nest boxes leaving the eggs behind. She is now isolated in a nursery with 5 eggs under her and seems content.

 

[chickenmomma2]

GreenGoddess,
I respectfully disagree with your statement that "there is nothing you can do to make them go brood". I have been transcribing letters my grandmother wrote to my uncle in 1946. She talks about making a hen go brood. It is accomplished by putting "fake" eggs in the box. She was successful in getting 5 chicks from this endeavor. I still have 88 more letters to transcribe so there may be discussion about it.

But, the fact is.....there IS a way to make a chicken go brood.