Broody Hen Thread!

[calichicken]

I'm on the other coast.

Hehe...then yes it is late! That make you a night owl

I am a night owl to...which doesn't always work well with my job since I am a teacher and have to be on my toes with the kiddos

 

[16 paws]

I'm amazed at how many people have broodies this time of year. My chickens are all in the molt right now and not showing much interest in the nest boxes.

Hi Morrigan,

I have a black silkie that just hatched three babies. She is very young, I dont know if she has even laid an egg yet. But surprisingly enough she is doing very well at mothering them. I live in Vista, Ca, north San Diego County,

 

[ChickyChickens]

Spring? You must be on the bottom where everything is wrong way round. lol

I checked out that link. Beautiful birds!!!

BTW, what is the breed in your avi?

Yeah, we have aweosme, nice, warm winters so we never really know wether it is spring/winter/summer/autumn!!!!

Ah, yup, on the bottom of the world. lol =)
I would move her, being there is apparently trouble. A broody will only get up maybe once a day to eat/drink and poo. I had a broody and I was going to let her stay with the flock, but at least one of my Leghorns was picking on her and laying in her bucket. If I can leave a broody with her flock, I prefer to try to do that, but I won't sacrifice my broody to flock dynamics.
If you have broody chickens and chickens that peck on broodies, then I would create a space for broodies to brood away from the flock.
That's just me and you'll get as many answers to any animal husbandry question as keepers you ask. =)
All the best to you and your broody!!! =)

Yes, right on the bottom of the world!!!!

 

[ChickyChickens]

Oh yes, my avi pic is a barnyard mix! I saved her from my neighbours (along with her sister) The neighbours were really abusing them¬! She was very thin as they werent feeding her, so the one night i went in there and saved her...

 

[calichicken]

Oh yes, my avi pic is a barnyard mix! I saved her from my neighbours (along with her sister) The neighbours were really abusing them¬! She was very thin as they werent feeding her, so the one night i went in there and saved her...

Awwww...awesome of you

So sad they could treat them so badly

 

[ChickyChickens]

Awwww...awesome of you

So sad they could treat them so badly

Yeah, I really hate it when people treat chickens badly!!!

 

[TeaChick]

Hehe...then yes it is late! That make you a night owl

I am a night owl to...which doesn't always work well with my job since I am a teacher and have to be on my toes with the kiddos

No, I'm a morning person; I"m on fumes at that time of night. lol

Oh yes, my avi pic is a barnyard mix! I saved her from my neighbours (along with her sister) The neighbours were really abusing them¬! She was very thin as they werent feeding her, so the one night i went in there and saved her...

Oh, my! Well, I'm glad she's having a good life now.
I assume that your neighbors were okay with you "saving" her and her sister.

Yeah, I really hate it when people treat chickens badly!!!

Yeah, any animal, or children, or old ppl...or anyone who can't stick up for themselves.
I hate cowardice!!!

 

[SIMZ]

Hi again! My broody hen and her 6 & 7 week old chicks are in a small 3 or 4X3 square coop. Now that winter looks here to stay and lake effect snow is forecast, I'm not sure what to do with them. I do have an empty large coop I could move them to and then keep them inside. My concern is that if I move them she'll "snap out of it" and I'm going to be left brooding these chicks in 19 degree weather. The small coop is well built and would be just as warm as the big one, but too small (I feel) to keep them confined for days at a time.

Will they be ok in this cold out there and is it ok to let them out in snow? Thanks!

 

[kmollyhughes]

Hi again!  My broody hen and her 6 & 7 week old chicks are in a small 3 or 4X3 square coop.  Now that winter looks here to stay and lake effect snow is forecast, I'm not sure what to do with them.  I do have an empty large coop I could move them to and then keep them inside.  My concern is that if I move them she'll "snap out of it" and I'm going to be left brooding these chicks in 19 degree weather.  The small coop is well built and would be just as warm as the big one, but too small (I feel) to keep them confined for days at a time.

Will they be ok in this cold out there and is it ok to let them out in snow?  Thanks!

Yes! If they're with Mom, let them have access to outside. Broody raised chicks are super strong and will feather in faster and grow faster. When they get cold they'll hide under mom. You'd be surprised how well they do. I have showgirls (naked neck silkies) outside in an open air coop with two broody girls that have been outside since day one. They do fine. Tough little things and we don't give hens enough credit. You could even shovel the run and add straw to make it easier for them.

 

[SIMZ]

Yes! If they're with Mom, let them have access to outside. Broody raised chicks are super strong and will feather in faster and grow faster. When they get cold they'll hide under mom. You'd be surprised how well they do. I have showgirls (naked neck silkies) outside in an open air coop with two broody girls that have been outside since day one. They do fine. Tough little things and we don't give hens enough credit. You could even shovel the run and add straw to make it easier for them.

Ok! Thank you!! I'm going to take out a heated bowl for their little coop and add some straw in the corner where they huddle at night. I'll go ahead and keep letting them out and Mom take care of it.