Broody Hen Thread!

[AmyP716]

Just had to post this pic of my broody hen and one of her chicks.

 

[Nofowlplay]

Just had to post this pic of my broody hen and one of her chicks.

That's about the cutest picture I've seen lately!

 

[Rhandi74]

When does a broody give up her chicks? My Cochin hatched out her chicks 6 weeks ago and she is still raising them. She has been taking them to the nest box with her but she does not lay yet. I am not concerned that she needs to lay just that it is ok for her to raise them this long.

 

[TiaRC]

When does a broody give up her chicks? My Cochin hatched out her chicks 6 weeks ago and she is still raising them. She has been taking them to the nest box with her but she does not lay yet. I am not concerned that she needs to lay just that it is ok for her to raise them this long.

I have found that Cochins and silkies tend to raise chicks linger than other breeds. My silkies sometime won't cut ties til the chicks are 9 weeks. Hang in there it'll happen. some mothers just have to get fed up with big chicks before they will run them off.

 

[sonderah]

Grrr. My chickens have lice! I will treat them all, & the coop/run with DE. BUT! I have a broody EE setting right now! Can I treat her, & her bedding in the nest box?

 

[ochochicas]

What is your experience with broody hens in the winter? Have you found that they go broody all year round, or is it mostly during the warmer months?

 

[cackler]

I have two broodies that should be hatching some lil ones in a week. What do i feed eveerybody? I will have mamas and babies in the same pen so not sure if i feed chick feed or just what.

 

[sonderah]

I have two broodies that should be hatching some lil ones in a week. What do i feed eveerybody? I will have mamas and babies in the same pen so not sure if i feed chick feed or just what.

I feed my multi aged pens non medicated starter/grower & leave oyster shells in a seperate dish for the adults to get the extra calcium.

 

[fisherlady]

What is your experience with broody hens in the winter?  Have you found that they go broody all year round, or is it mostly during the warmer months?  

Each hen sets their own time table. I have hens who set once in the spring, one who sets once in spring and once in fall, some who brood 2 or 3 times during nice weather and a couple who think it is their jobs to repopulate the chicken world and brood year round!

 

[fisherlady]

I feed my multi aged pens non medicated starter/grower & leave oyster shells in a seperate dish for the adults to get the extra calcium.

X2

I do give them non medicated starter for first few days when the broody has her chicks in a separate area, then flock raiser in main area.