Broody Hen Thread!

[nchls school]

Quote: Wow!!! Do they come in other colors? They look smaller than wild turkeys??? How big are the eggs in comparison to chicken eggs? Do you think a broody chicken could hatch them? Would you be willing to sell a few eggs and ship them? Or know where hatching eggs could be purchased?

 

[microchick]

Thanks, Marie/16paws. I've already witnessed Rocky, my BO rooster attempt to mate my little Wheaten OEGB. I think he figured it wasn't going to happen due to simple body mechanics and the fact I yelled at him to get off her or he'd be picking my booted foot out of his posterior, poor little girl. He's about 8 pounds and she is probably 1.5 at best. Hopefully once the two boys get more maturity about them and the girls too, they will turn their attentions to something more their own size. As for the BO rooster....he's hopeless, but I love him anyway.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Wow!!! Do they come in other colors? They look smaller than wild turkeys??? How big are the eggs in comparison to chicken eggs? Do you think a broody chicken could hatch them? Would you be willing to sell a few eggs and ship them? Or know where hatching eggs could be purchased?

Here are the size of the turkey eggs they are about the size of a large/xlarge chicken egg. Here in my incubator I have a normal chicken egg in so you can see how they compare. Yes I definitely think a broody hen could hatch some turkey eggs expecting as they perfer to hatch at 99.5 degrees and 35% humidity however they take 28 days to hatch. These are my first hatching of turkey eggs but sure if they hatch for me I will be happy to ship you some eggs to hatch will have to check with Chicken Danz on how to ship them and what price is normal as I have no idea.

sorry the pics not better

Here is Turkey Hen Limpie sitting in her nest of plastic eggs no worries I will replace her plastic one with her real ones the night before lock down when I will close off her and her nest from everyone else. Right now everyone wants to come and sit cuddle with her while they lay their daily egg that they then push to her that she sticks under her for me to gather later. Shrug it works no frozen eggs

 

[melliston]

And they get along with chickens? 

I love turkeys but keep shelving the thought of getting a pair simply because of the horror stories I have read about chickens getting attacked and killed or injured by turkeys.

. I raise turkey alongside my chickens, never have a problem with them fighting with each other. Just need to be aware that chickens can carry the protazoa for blackhead, which does not effect chicken, but is deadly to turkey. Cayenne pepper is said to kill the protozoa, same with metronidazole (fish-zole). So I add that to all my feeders on a regular basis. The cayenne pepper also gives a more intense yolk color my customers love.

 

[nchls school]

Quote:

 

[nchls school]

Looks like I am in the market for a large breed broody hen to hatch turkey (duck eggs too). Our poultry auction is next weekend. Anyone have recommendations for a large breed that makes a good, reliable broody hen.

 

[rustymurphy]

Cochin are very broody they prefer setting to laying

 

[nchls school]

Cochin are very broody they prefer setting to laying

Thank you for the reply. I had buff cochin bantams and they were excellent broodies. I will watch for them at the auction. I'm hoping group members will give me options. There's no guarantee that any one breed will be at the auction.

 

[rustymurphy]

Your welcome look also for Brahmas and araucanas they also set well

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Buff Orpingtons are also good broodies as well. And while you couldn't give her more then 4 right now you could use a Silkie as well.