Broody Hen Thread!

[Jharper]

Awesome! Good luck.

 

[Arkansas81]

Well its going on 8 days now for my eggs. Ive not candled yet but I might give it a try. I'm kinda wondering what will happen when - if they hatch. Everytime I go out there, there is someone different sitting on the nest.

I'm hoping someone will step up and take care of them..otherwise I will have to build a brooder-ugh!

 

[FirewifeJess]

I moved my mama tonight to a separate pen within the coop. Hope she likes it! The other girls were trying to lay in her nest box, today she had 5 extra eggs in there so I had to separate her. It will be great for after the chicks hatch too.

Looks great Erin! She looks SO comfy on those eggs!

 

[turkeyguy123]

I have a question. My dorking mix hen went brooch the other day but I don't think she is sitting on anything. Would she be able to hatch some turkey eggs? Or not because they take 28 days? I plan to check tomorrow to see if she actually has eggs but I don't think she does. Also how do you recommend checking for or adding eggs? As I havent seen her off the nest?

 

[Jharper]

Yes when it gets spring I'm going to let my first broody hatch out a goose for me. Then I will let another one hatch out a couple of ducks for me.

 

[turkeyguy123]

Thanks what's the best way to make sure she doesn't have any eggs of her own?

 

[Jharper]

Huh? I'm confused about what you just said.

 

[Jharper]

If you are talking about her having some up under her right now? If so go gently lift her up just a little bit to look real quick. From there just give her som dud eggs before you give her turkey eggs.

 

[Fentress]

Good luck!! Hey, even if you get just a few "free" chicks, that's awesome!

I moved my mama tonight to a separate pen within the coop. Hope she likes it! The other girls were trying to lay in her nest box, today she had 5 extra eggs in there so I had to separate her. It will be great for after the chicks hatch too.

How old is your BA? I am under the impression that for the large breeds that go broody, like a BA or BO or Maran that they may wait until their 2nd year to go broody for the first time. Other breeds like game or silkies will go broody their first year. Any thoughts?

 

[erinchelsea]

Well I had a major fail trying to move my broody. There is a 1x1' hole in the very top corner of the pen I put her in, she managed to find it, get out and I found her back in the old nest today. Guess I will have to leave her and try again with new eggs. I'll patch the hole and move her when they hatch.