Broody Hen Thread!

[nchls school]

Thank you everyone so I don't know if any of my 19 wk old are Roosters we thought so orginally but now not so sure and the one Rooster we are sure of is a Juv bird so we will just leave it as it and see what happens. I really want eggs as my main reason but I also want enough fertile eggs that when I have a hen go broody that she can raise a cluth.

Take a look at their combs. By 19 weeks the rooster's combs will be bigger and redder than the pullets. If in doubt posting pictures often helps in sexing young birds.

 

[fisherlady]

Two mature roosters that are new to each other will fight. Depending on breed and temperament, the fighting can get vicious, even fatal to one of the roosters. I have found that introducing a juvenile cockerel works better when there is an adult rooster already in residence. The cockerel is not threatening to the rooster and the pecking order will be established without the bloodshed.

X2
I like multiple roosters for added sky observation ability and to have a spare should anything happen to the lead roo. Very few squabbles when they are raised within the group. The need for additional roosters may be limited if the birds don't free range or are in a more predator protected environment unless you are wanting a high fertility rate. General hen/rooster ratios are suggested anywhere from 5/1 to 10/1, depending on who you talk to.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

X2
I like multiple roosters for added sky observation ability and to have a spare should anything happen to the lead roo. Very few squabbles when they are raised within the group. The need for additional roosters may be limited if the birds don't free range or are in a more predator protected environment unless you are wanting a high fertility rate. General hen/rooster ratios are suggested anywhere from 5/1 to 10/1, depending on who you talk to.

FisherLady,
That was my next question my chickens are contained in a topped covered chicken yard/tunnels about 75-80% of the time with them only being allowed to free range in my backyard for a couple hours during the week when I am sitting out the there with them though I try for half a day on Sat and Sun I just love sitting out there with them.

 

[Wendy High]

Good morning to all. Read a little on thread. THANK YOU TO ALL HELPING!!!
Here is the latest update.
Momma hen in wire cage has a 6 pack. Am going to clean out her nest today. So far, she is happy to stay in cage.
Momma hen in box has 3 chicks. She got off nest today to eat & drink but babies did not go with her. Hooray, @ least 1 of the old eggs hatched. Will clean her nest out when babies come down to ground. Here is a pic of her 2 days ago, I think, with chick in nest.

Here is momma hen from yesterday. Happy in cage with chicks. Teaching water & food.

Got some catching up to do on site. Hope everyone has a good one!

 

[nchls school]

Good morning to all. Read a little on thread. THANK YOU TO ALL HELPING!!!
Here is the latest update.
Momma hen in wire cage has a 6 pack. Am going to clean out her nest today. So far, she is happy to stay in cage.
Momma hen in box has 3 chicks. She got off nest today to eat & drink but babies did not go with her. Hooray, @ least 1 of the old eggs hatched. Will clean her nest out when babies come down to ground. Here is a pic of her 2 days ago, I think, with chick in nest.

Very cute pictures.

 

[fisherlady]

Good morning to all. Read a little on thread. THANK YOU TO ALL HELPING!!!
Here is the latest update.
Momma hen in wire cage has a 6 pack. Am going to clean out her nest today. So far, she is happy to stay in cage.
Momma hen in box has 3 chicks. She got off nest today to eat & drink but babies did not go with her. Hooray, @ least 1 of the old eggs hatched. Will clean her nest out when babies come down to ground. Here is a pic of her 2 days ago, I think, with chick in nest.

Here is momma hen from yesterday. Happy in cage with chicks. Teaching water & food.

Got some catching up to do on site. Hope everyone has a good one!

Congrats on the happy hens and chicks!
If you are confident the hen in the box is done hatching you can assist her little ones down if you want, just have a floor nest set up for them and hang out for a while to see them settled, chances are the broody will be trying to get them to move soon anyway, they seem to understand the chicks have trouble navigating to high nests and will need to get them to food and water.

 

[nchls school]

Not broody yet but I'm hoping she will be soon. Midget-Serama-11 ounces-after months of waiting, Midget laid her first tiny egg yesterday; on my wife's birthday.

 

[nchls school]

This is Midget's rugged hubby-Teeny-also 11 ounces.

 

[16 paws]

Is the rooster and chick white or buff? Japanese come in both colors.

They are both kind of in between white and buff. But the rooster is more buff than the chick at this point. I didnt even think that my roo there could be a black tail Japanese until you said that. I do have a hen that is a btj and she could of been his mom. I wonder what the chick is going to look like????
Thanks for your help.
Marie

 

[16 paws]

I wish you would quit posting pictures of those adorable chickens. You know it makes us all want one or two or??????
Just kidding, they are sweet,