Broody Hen Thread!

[Shellz]

Day 21 & I've got chirping under a 2nd broody! Yay! Can't wait for the day to warm up, then I'll check on them again. Yahoo!

 

[fly12]

Quote:
Breeder, since i wrote that post, 2 more have gone broody!!

 

[Shellz]

Breeder, since i wrote that post, 2 more have gone broody!!

Contagious!!! One more left, eh? You bank up some eggs? Holy smokes!

I have a couple of 17 week old pullets I'm praying will start laying after I run out of eggs. All 3 of my hens went broody in just over a week. Was not really prepared for all to do that. Oh well.

 

[Shellz]

My favorite broody has hatched 5 so far! All big, beautiful, fuzzy & healthy looking! Yay!






4 eggs left!

 

[RideRed93]

Questions : when is my mamma hen ''ready '' to take her babies out with all the other chickens? Will she go out on her own or do i need to take her out?
Also, I just got a rooster he won't be sexually mature until about 2 months. Will he mate with his own breed or will he mate with all the rest of my chickens regardless of the breed?
Sorry, probably dumb questions but I'm new to this..

 

[Shellz]

I believe mamma will take chicks out around the 2nd or 3rd day. A good broody will do this all on her own. It's why this is the preferable method of incubating. Less work for the people to do & more entertaining in my opinion! Make sure there is starter ration & water accessible for momma & babies. Layer ration can kill babies if they get into it. If you didn't already know this already.

Roosters are like individuals. Some have favorites (within the same breed) & some don't care! You'll find out eventually what his preferences are, if any.

No such thing as dumb questions. This forum is to share & learn. I'm more than happy to share what I've learned over my short time (4 years) of keeping poultry. That's what's so great about this site; lots of folks sharing their experiences & knowledge!

 

[Shellz]

10:00 a.m. update! My first hen to go broody is on 3 eggs. Heard chirping yesterday & today, but not showing me anything!





Above is the 2nd hen to go broody. On 6 eggs & 2 hatched so far.





Above 3 pics are of my most experienced broody & last to go broody this season. I've seen 5 chicks & 4 more to go! Go broodies, go!

 

[Jharper]

Lets see my RIR laid her first egg from being broody and my Cochin bantam was attacked so I don't know when she will start laying again. Now I have to wait on my BA to finish up her brood.

 

[Emcrowston]

My momma hen has 4 brahmas, three weeks old. She has been in a run within the chicken shed now for a week, and she has started laying again. Is it time to let her and the chicks out with the others? How do I stop the chicks eating layers pellets and the others eating the chick crumbs? Thanx

 

[abalassone]

I am not sure if this is the right place but I am very new to chickens and have tons of questions. The one I have about a broody hen is I have one right now that is setting and if all goes well her eggs will hatch this weekend. All of a sudden this week I have another hen that has decided she is going to sit on the eggs with her. She is making her a nervous wreck and is climbing all over her. Is this normal? If not any suggestions?