Broody Hen Thread!

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potato chip said:
When I say "attacked", she pecks at me. I think it might be because her hair is over her eyes that she feels threatened. I did manage to give her a pat today, I stuck to her head and smoothed her topknot back so I could see her eyes, and she could see me. She didn't peck me when I did that.

Nonetheless, I've let her be, so she's not been used to being handled while she's there. I think I'm worrying unnecessarily, I've no reason to think she'll be aggressive to any babies, I'm just not used to having to "stay out of it" and if there's something to worry about, I'm there :D
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Ah, gotcha. Yeah, the hen I'm talking about is a Dominique (so no sight issues) and she didn't just peck. She would grab a chunk of my hand and try twisting it off.
 
raecarrow said:
She would grab a chunk of my hand and try twisting it off.
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That is different. Also, Paulina hasn't been handled much. She was only born late last year, she's very young, and I've never insisted the girls submit to cuddles, I just let them wander about and be chooks. She's just not that used to be petted and the only time she's there within patting distance is when she's been clucky. I can't blame her for telling people to "go away" (which is really all she's doing). Also, I do think her hair-do has something to do with it.
 
I have my very first broody, an american gamehen. Shes sitting on a bunch of unfertilized eggs until i can find some bantam eggs for her, so far not having luck. She's super adorable and has been sweet with me, let me reach under her 4 different times and take eggs to check for fertility, she just chirps a little. she normally doesnt let me touch her and makes a horrible fuss. I like her a lot more when shes broody lol
 
I'm WAY behind on this thread, 10 of 14734. I will catch up. But until then, I lost my silkie (Peanut) a while ago. She was the only broody one and the only bantam. Since silkies are not the easiest to acquire around Phoenix, nobody wants to part with a broody hen reasonably. What are some other breeds that are typically broody? My flock is only 3 buff orpington (two hen) raised by Peanut and a very old b-rock who hasn't laid for three years. I can handle 8 big birds and 4 bantams in the split coop. That would be optimal.
 
HI! @BW56 I've had luck getting BO hens to go broody by putting ceramic eggs in the nest box and leaving them there. Start with two, then add an egg every day working up to six or 8 then stop and watch the hens. There is something about the appearance of multiple eggs accumulating in a nesting box that will set them off every time, at least with mine that has happened.

Once the susceptible hen goes for the bait, let her set on the fake eggs for 48 to 72 hours to confirm her dedication to the clutch and when she does that, quietly swap out the fake eggs for fertile hatching eggs when it is dark.

As for which hens are broodiest? Silkies, definitely, Buff Orpingtons, definitely and OEGB hens also. I've had experience with BOs and OEGBs going broody on me but from my experience, even hens that are not highly rated for broodiness will go broody if the notion strikes them. I have a three year old Welsummer hen, a breed noted for not being broody, go broody on me last spring and hatch out 6 lovely little chicks. She was an excellent mother and I'm hoping she will get the notion again this year.
 

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