Broody Hen Thread!

[FarmerBoy24]

BE CAREFUL!! with broodies.

For some reason my chickens brodiness is contagious! One hen will go broody then the next then the next! Uggghh So I have to separate my broody hens, which I do anyways!

 

[andalusn]

A Cochin that turned 1 this spring went broody and I let her set on the collection of eggs she had in the box.. most of the other hens were very put out but have since gone back to laying in the next boxes "inside" the hen house....

Well this past weekend was the hatch weekend... there was one peep all nice and fluffy and one egg all chipped away with a dead chick inside. I removed all of the other eggs she was sitting on (stolen eggs at that) last night since I wanted her to stop thinking setting and start being more interested in the peep.

Her name is mudd tonight. The peep is dead and she was sitting on another stolen egg. On to plan B since I want the box back for other hens to use. Will take eggs daily and if she continues on this way I guess it's time for some serious wire cage time to try and change her thinking.

 

[FarmerBoy24]

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I hope everything works out for you!

 

[ralleia]

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I barged right in and didn't even bother to ask permission. Your manners do you credit.

Turkens come in banty size? I have three I think, that came as part of a mishmashed brown egg-layer assortment last year. The brown ones in particular are so sweet and good-natured. It's my first experience with the breed, and despite their odd appearance I like them very much. My daughter's favorite is one of the brown turkens.

 

[FarmerBoy24]

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I barged right in and didn't even bother to ask permission. Your manners do you credit.

Turkens come in banty size? I have three I think, that came as part of a mishmashed brown egg-layer assortment last year. The brown ones in particular are so sweet and good-natured. It's my first experience with the breed, and despite their odd appearance I like them very much. My daughter's favorite is one of the brown turkens.

When I went to the feed store they had these amerucana naked neck chickens. They looked so AWESOME!

 

[ralleia]

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Bad, bad momma hen! Unless the chick died from some other cause--she might be the type that just wants to sit on the eggs. Might be okay if you just want an incubator, but only if she's good at it.

This time I'm isolating my broodies from the other hens. I've made two ramshackle private nestboxes and am trying to follow the guidance in http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-2.html

 

[FarmerBoy24]

Thanks! that link was very informative!

 

[andalusn]

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Bad, bad momma hen! Unless the chick died from some other cause--she might be the type that just wants to sit on the eggs. Might be okay if you just want an incubator, but only if she's good at it.

This time I'm isolating my broodies from the other hens. I've made two ramshackle private nestboxes and am trying to follow the guidance in http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-2.html

Thanks for the link.. I'm bookmarking it for later reading since I should be getting ready for work.. This hen almost seems like she just wants to set. She would let the peep be next to her or under her but there was no real talking going on like my other broody hens do. The box is on the ground so it is easy in/out but I found the peep dead outside the box. I just don't think the motherhood thing clicked for her. My other two broody hens (Cochin & a Cuckoo Maran) as soon as they hatch they are on those peeps and one outside the box they always with them and all the chatter between mom/peeps.

 

[FarmerBoy24]

My hen keeps getting off her nest to eat and drink. How long can she be off her eggs?

 

[ralleia]

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How often and how long?

They *DO* need to get up to eat and drink (and preferably poop somewhere NOT on the eggs) at least daily. So long as she gets back on the correct nest, then she should know what she's doing.