Broody Hen Thread!

[Kristin Brown]

Having a broody hen is a neat experience! I have not tried artificial incubator before because I was deterred by the price. My Black Cochin hen began brooding 11 eggs on December 2nd. Within the first week she removed two bad eggs from the nest so now she is down to 9 eggs total. I'm expecting them to hatch the 23rd and 24th - Christmas chickies! The only roosters in the flock are a Dark Brahma and a Red Pyle Old English Game. So the chicks will be of mixed pedigree.

I am fond of keeping purebred chickens. Thus, I've been considering upgrading my flock to a single breed. The breed I admire most is Mille Fleur Cochin for its beautiful patterns but also because Cochins in general are excellent broody hens!

 

[elsfieldchickens]

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

My fuzzie fix for the day!

~ Aspen

 

[MeMotherHen]

Okay...so how do you know when the hen is not broody anymore after having her in the caging broody buster? when do you know that it's okay for her to go back into the nesting box?

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Sorry if this was already talked about but I grew impatient of reading. I have LF Light Brahma Hens and was wondering how many eggs a bird that size can hatch out in a perfect world. I know some are bad mothers etc...but I dont want to over load her nest but I dont want to waste a good broody hen on 4 eggs if she can handle 12. Thanks for the input.

 

[elsfieldchickens]

she could probably cover about 12-13 eggs and could brood 20 plus chicks

 

[popsicle]

I'm sure it's been asked, but when should I give up that any of my current Brahmas will go broody and just get a couple silkies (which I'll probably do anyhow)? My current Brahmas are about 10 months old--so I'm hoping in the spring at least one will want to sit on eggs. I really want to hatch some eggs, but don't want to invest in an incubator.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Popsicle we are in the same boat. I am also hoping to watch little fuzzballs follow along behind their ginormous momma haha However, mine are younger and so I am hoping atleast someones biological clock says its prime baby raising time this spring....my previous questions was just so I am prepared in the event things go according the plan which they never do haha

 

[Kristin Brown]

Hi

I have had a hen go broody at 9 months old which I thought was young but she did well for her (and my) first time! I haven't tried an incubator before. I'm sure it is a neat experience knowing that you are like the mother hen in that case. But I really enjoy the broody hen experience because lets face it we are all suckers for watching a mama in the nest with her babies! A hen can do all the work, like turning the eggs up to 5 times an hour! The temperature and humidity will typically be right under her body. She will even going as far to talk to her babies throughout the development in their shells. The babies chirp back too!

 

[popsicle]

I've had a Marans go broody at under a year--but that's the only broody I've ever had--most of my birds are usually production bred birds. Even my good quality Brahmas never went broody until after I gave them away; which is why I don't want to make that mistake again.

I've never been too interested in hatching so I didn't care before. I want to get some different breeds this year and would rather hatch than pay a premium for chicks.