Broody Hen Thread!

[slordaz]

If I understand you correctly, you've got a Leghorn sitting on a nest of her eggs, then you have 2 other nests that have eggs left in them (hoping for a broody I presume), but there is always a different hen sitting on them?

Hens will instinctively want to lay where others have laid before, which comes from natural instinct to add to the flock's clutch. Once the clutch is big enough, the broody type will be triggered to begin to brood. (There is a pressure point on the breast that releases hormones to brood once enough pressure is applied...ie a certain size of clutch).

That's why leaving fake eggs in the nest can help hens lay where they are supposed to, and letting a clutch develop can entice broody types to sit.

If you don't want hens trying to lay on these 2 nests, take the eggs up.

If you are trying to entice a hen from your flock to brood, you may just have to wait and see if your flock is composed of breeds such as the Leghorn, If that is a commercial hatchery stock, you may have a very long wait. It is very, very, unusual for a hatchery quality Leghorn (or other commercial layer types such as Production Reds) to ever want to brood. They will very occasionally do it, but that is rare as you are fighting against years of genetic selection to obtain high egg production (ie not brooding).

If that is not what you are asking, please post again.

LofMc

have an over abundance (9) of broodies only 3 spots to sit and brood. Working on another coop currently so planning accordingly as didn't think we'd get but one or 2. guess the leghorn is mean enough they don't try to take over her nest, I have 6 of the broodies switching out themselves who is sitting on which of the other 2 nests

 

[nchls school]

I got a question------what do they do or what makes you feel the broodies do not like to be separated from the others?

I wondered about this too. I have four brooding and from what I see brooding hens want to be alone on and off the nest. Their behavior is aggression towards any bird that comes near; attacking, growling at those that are beneath them in the pecking order and showing fear, but growling too, to the birds that are higher on the pecking order. I lock up all extra chickens; especially younger ones as they seem to cause the most interference. My brooding hens are all in the same coop with the others. My flock is small so having brooding cages is not necessary; it is easier to separate the nonbrooding birds as they can share space until the broods have hatched.

 

[sharol]

I wondered about this too. I have four brooding and from what I see brooding hens want to be alone on and off the nest. Their behavior is aggression towards any bird that comes near; attacking, growling at those that are beneath them in the pecking order and showing fear, but growling too, to the birds that are higher on the pecking order. I lock up all extra chickens; especially younger ones as they seem to cause the most interference. My brooding hens are all in the same coop with the others. My flock is small so having brooding cages is not necessary; it is easier to separate the nonbrooding birds as they can share space until the broods have hatched.

If I try to relocate them before giving them eggs, or just after they start setting, they throw themselves at the doors of the broody run. If i wait until day 19, they settle in just fine. Most of them seem to like the company. Just a feeling.

 

[nchls school]

If I try to relocate them before giving them eggs, or just after they start setting, they throw themselves at the doors of the broody run. If i wait until day 19, they settle in just fine. Most of them seem to like the company. Just a feeling.

Different birds/breeds, different experiences I guess.

 

[PD-Riverman]

If I try to relocate them before giving them eggs, or just after they start setting, they throw themselves at the doors of the broody run. If i wait until day 19, they settle in just fine. Most of them seem to like the company. Just a feeling.

How do you go about moving them? If you just pick them up and go put them in another place---most will not go for that. I have moved 150+/- several different breeds and everyone stayed on their eggs------all 150 hatched, with NO problems---which is why I move them to start with. I prep ahead by getting them in a movable nest that will fit in the new location, ALL of them are Moved to a """READY""" pen at Night with no light----if it so dark I can not see---I flash a small flashlight on for about 1 second at times to get my bearings-----if its a moon-lite night I place a dark cover over them (not on them)while being moved--------I set the nest with them in it in the new location and quickly back away----no messing with them AT All-----has worked Every time in app 150 tries in the last 3 years.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I wondered about this too. I have four brooding and from what I see brooding hens want to be alone on and off the nest. Their behavior is aggression towards any bird that comes near; attacking, growling at those that are beneath them in the pecking order and showing fear, but growling too, to the birds that are higher on the pecking order. I lock up all extra chickens; especially younger ones as they seem to cause the most interference. My brooding hens are all in the same coop with the others. My flock is small so having brooding cages is not necessary; it is easier to separate the nonbrooding birds as they can share space until the broods have hatched.

You do what works for you-----if you have Problems----do different the next time----I do not have NO Problems at all----just great hatches. You can read the above post on how I do it if you want!! Good Luck

 

[nchls school]

You do what works for you-----if you have Problems----do different the next time----I do not have NO Problems at all----just great hatches. You can read the above post on how I do it if you want!! Good Luck

I have read your posts. If my flock were larger or the set up different, my present methods would not work. I've had bigger flocks in the past and experience allows me to know that each of us has different situations, but we certainly can learn from each other; taking from the group what will make or situation better.

 

[microchick]

I'm at the 'when you want them to go broody they won't and when you don't want them to they will' stage with my hens, but I tell y'all that when one of my girls does go broody again I will be following PD Rivermans advice on brooding and I will separate my broody hen from the others. Taking the chance of other hen's donating eggs to my broody's cause causes too many problems, as I learned with my last hatch. In fact my new coop and laying boxes will incorporate a broody box and pen into their design.

See, Master, the Grasshopper has learned, LOL.

 

[RachaelR32]

If I try to relocate them before giving them eggs, or just after they start setting, they throw themselves at the doors of the broody run.  If i wait until day 19, they settle in just fine.  Most of them seem to like the company.  Just a feeling.

I tried to relocate my broody and although she was ok the night I moved her, in the morning sheshe was desperate to get out. However, it wasn't because she wanted company, she just wanted her old nest back. I let her back to her old spot and moved the other 2 girls out so she's on her own and now she's happy.

 

[WVduckchick]

I got lucky as to where my broody chose to sit. The nest box on the far end of the coop, opposite end from the door. So all I did was put a temporary piece of 1/2"x1/2" welded wire divider to block that end off, just for her. Added a small waterer and bowl of food for her, and a little box for the others to start laying in. I delayed doing this for a few days, but kept finding new eggs added to her, and other girls sitting with her, so I finally had to do it. So far it seems to be working out great.