Broody at 5.5 months?

[EggWalrus]

Wow, that's crazy. I had no idea they could start so soon. Two of her hatch-mates haven't even started lying yet (a Partridge Cochin and a Black Australorp). Since my boys aren't old enough to be fertilizing eggs, I think I will see about getting some elsewhere. Haven't had baby chicks since July and... you know how that goes.

You can always slip her some babies from a local farm supply. That's usually a guaranteed way to break her broodiness and make her a happy Momma at the same time, without all the body wasting from 3 weeks of sitting in such a young bird. I'd still let her sit a week first though.

 

[hillbilly91]

Since my boys aren't old enough yet I may just get some fertilized eggs for her tomorrow and cross my fingers she doesn't get bored.

Wait to place the eggs unroll she is broody for 3 or 4days. When you do place the eggs cup them in your hand so she can't see the egg and place under her. Night is best

 

[mixedbreeds]

I may as well jump in to I had one go broody also and it was a Buff Orpington about the same age it was in the spring she was broody more than not that entire summer and the next year as well.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I've had a few that like to start early. I've got some game hens that think their sole purpose is to lay a dozen eggs, sit on them for 3 weeks, raise babies for 6 weeks, then do it all other again. Some breeds are just more prone to early broodiness. But it can happen with any.

That's so sweet!

 

[aliciaFarmer]

You can always slip her some babies from a local farm supply. That's usually a guaranteed way to break her broodiness and make her a happy Momma at the same time, without all the body wasting from 3 weeks of sitting in such a young bird. I'd still let her sit a week first though.

That's such a great idea! I wish I read this or thought of it before ordering 3 hatching eggs that are being shipped tomorrow. Hahaha. I just couldn't resist.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

We hatched barnyard mixes, probably white leghorn roo over production reds. Kept five pullets and a cockerel. One started laying at 4 months and was broody two weeks later! I’m a newbie, but she seemed hard to break. Then, two more of the five went broody at 5 months. I can’t beleive we had 3/5 go broody so young and in the fall (Septemberish), from breeds that aren’t even known for being broody!

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I may as well jump in to I had one go broody also and it was a Buff Orpington about the same age it was in the spring she was broody more than not that entire summer and the next year as well.

I have 3 Buff Orpingtons and suspect this girl in particular may be the same. She's been baby obsessed since she was about 16 weeks old and I introduced the second of three new batches of babies.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

We hatched barnyard mixes, probably white leghorn roo over production reds. Kept five pullets and a cockerel. One started laying at 4 months and was broody two weeks later! I’m a newbie, but she seemed hard to break. Then, two more of the five went broody at 5 months. I can’t beleive we had 3/5 go broody so young and in the fall (Septemberish), from breeds that aren’t even known for being broody!

That's crazy for sure. I'm excited about my girl though -- I ordered some hatching eggs to buy some time until my boys get old enough to do their rooster business with the ladies.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

Wait to place the eggs unroll she is broody for 3 or 4days. When you do place the eggs cup them in your hand so she can't see the egg and place under her. Night is best

That's my plan, thank you. ♡ The eggs will arrive on broody day four.

 

[PouleChick]

Awwww bless her sounds like she will be an amazing mummy! Mabel, my light Sussex, surprised the living daylights out of me doing the same thing in the spring at the same age. She was a great mummy!