Broody Hen Thread!

[leoChickens]

what if the eggs dont have babys in them. Do u need to get fertal eggs?

 

[micah wotring]

Quote: Yes. If your eggs are not fertile then no chicks will develop(and consequently non will hatch).

 

[leoChickens]

But i do not have room or want baby chicks. Would i have to get a separate pen and every thing?

 

[itspebbl]

If you do not want baby chicks, you can break her broodiness. There are several ways to do this, from removing her off the nest often, to putting her in a wire cage with no bedding, but with food, water and usually a roost. This last method seems to be the most successful among chicken keepers, although it does require you to leave her there for several days. You can also let the broodiness run its course, but it will take up to more than a month and some hens will brood until they hatch something.

 

[leoChickens]

If you do not want baby chicks, you can break her broodiness. There are several ways to do this, from removing her off the nest often, to putting her in a wire cage with no bedding, but with food, water and usually a roost. This last method seems to be the most successful among chicken keepers, although it does require you to leave her there for several days. You can also let the broodiness run its course, but it will take up to more than a month and some hens will brood until they hatch something.

Chickens never cease to torture us!

 

[beakerchicks]

I had 2 broody hens in one coop, the one hen stopped being broody as the other one stole all her eggs. Only one of the eggs hatched. You can see all the other eggs in the background.

 

[leoChickens]

If you do not want baby chicks, you can break her broodiness. There are several ways to do this, from removing her off the nest often, to putting her in a wire cage with no bedding, but with food, water and usually a roost. This last method seems to be the most successful among chicken keepers, although it does require you to leave her there for several days. You can also let the broodiness run its course, but it will take up to more than a month and some hens will brood until they hatch something.

I had 2 broody hens in one coop, the one hen stopped being broody as the other one stole all her eggs. Only one of the eggs hatched. You can see all the other eggs in the background.

UGH THATS PERFECT

 

[Coop de Grass]

I was told by a local breeder that a broody doesn't know if they've been on the eggs 2 days or 21 days. She has clients who will buy eggs that are about to hatch, and slip them under the broody so that the brooding time frame is shortened. I haven't tried it myself yet, but I can see that it might be one way of dealing with the situation. Especially if you can buy incubated eggs of a specific breed. Then you get the hen to do all the mothering for you!

 

[microchick]

Interesting. What I have read both here and on the net in general says that the hen will switch gears from brooding to 'lock down' once the eggs reach 18 days of gestation give or take and she starts feeling and hearing movement and chirping from the developing chicks. If you even want to graft chicks to a hen, wait until she is close to that time frame 14-18 days before you try as otherwise the hen stands a chance of becoming 'confused' and attacking this little creature that has suddenly appeared under her.

It would be interesting to hear others who have tried this. I believe there are some 'broody' breeds that don't adhere to this and are easier to graft but not all are that flexible.

 

[nchls school]

Interesting. What I have read both here and on the net in general says that the hen will switch gears from brooding to 'lock down' once the eggs reach 18 days of gestation give or take and she starts feeling and hearing movement and chirping from the developing chicks. If you even want to graft chicks to a hen, wait until she is close to that time frame 14-18 days before you try as otherwise the hen stands a chance of becoming 'confused' and attacking this little creature that has suddenly appeared under her.

It would be interesting to hear others who have tried this. I believe there are some 'broody' breeds that don't adhere to this and are easier to graft but not all are that flexible.

I have tried this. It is true..."kind of'". Hens that have brooded a week will accept chicks. However, when my hens brooded for only a few days...they did not accept eggs hatching early. Possibly, others have different experiences. "Lock down"? There is no lock down with my hens until the chicks begin breaking away from the egg shell. Often, I have seen my hens off their nest...even when the eggs were externally pipped and cheeping.