Broody Hen Thread!

[randerson846]

Ahah I ha done last year that didn't move at all when she was sitting, didn't get up to poop or anything,(there was a big pile of it by the end of the hatch), so I had to put the food and water near her to eat and drink otherwise she would of died ahhaha

 

[AmericanMom]

I believe my Australorp is working the broody magic.. Went out at 1 to collect eggs and she was in the nest...Didn't think much of it, hung up the egg basket and came back in... Just went back out and she is still there... It took me all of three seconds to figure it out..lol... Not only has she been there for awhile but she is not in "her" normal spot but in the nest most of the eggs are laid .. Going to head back out in a bit and remove the eggs from her and let her sit the dummy eggs.. I'll give her a few days and then move her and set her with her own....yay!!!!!!! Our blue orpington has been covering hens and I haven't got to hatch any chicks out....



On another note... Java momma is losing interest in her chicks (4 weeks old this Saturday) I have noticed the last couple days she is foraging without them and then hubby told me last night she was in the top roost and he doesn't know how it happened but babies made it up there with her... Just watched her mating with the Orpington.. Now I am no expert but my Australorp wouldn't even allow the male near her until the chicks were almost 7 weeks... They have been with the "flock" since they were a week old so not sure if I want to remove them or leave them be and allow nature to take its course.

 

[omilona]

^ Yep..broody.

 

[AmericanMom]

^ Yep..broody.

Not fully, she was off the nest when I went back.... I'll give her time, I have lots of that... If she is thinking about it great!

 

[fisherlady]

Not fully, she was off the nest when I went back.... I'll give her time, I have lots of that... If she is thinking about it great!

If the Java chicks have been integrated by the broody just let them stay with the flock, they may sleep in a pile on the floor for a while but they will make their way onto a roost soon enough. The flock is used to them.

 

[Alaskan]

my broody, that sat so faithfully on the eggs that I gave her...is NOT yet doing the mothering thing!

My last broody was obviously the most perfect and wonderful broody of all time (a predator ate her, of course, my most valuable bird).

This broody, the eggs she was sitting on didn't hatch, one almost hatched, was pipped and zipped for over 24 hours, and that was it. So, I took out the eggs and replaced them with chicks. She isn't trying to eat the chicks, thank goodness!

But she doesn't tuck them under her, when she goes to eat she doesn't call them to eat, when she drinks, she doesn't call them to drink. When they peep she doesn't go see what is wrong. (All things the miraculous broody did).

SO FRUSTRATING!

I can't decide if it is safe to leave them with her overnight, or if one will get lost and chilled. They are in a maybe 2.5 by 4 foot space. Because she is NOT up to par, I put a heat lamp in there. However, it is cold enough, that if they are abandoned for the entire night I worry that they might die.

But, I also think that maybe one more day, or just two more days, and she will get the hang of things and be a great broody.......

 

[farnorth]

I think even if she isn't a great broody that when she settles down for the night in the dark they will crawl under her whether she likes it or not. Unless she is chasing them off then I think that at least she will keep them warm for you. The light is a good addition just in case. Maybe she will get the hang of it.

I just found out my young Australorp hen is a fantastic broody. I have a Buff Orp who is pretty good mother..used her for a broody more than once....but the Australorp lets me handle the chicks where the BO would take my hand off.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

All these variable Mothering traits. It's just something I took for granted...that if they stood their time hatching the chicks they'd be imprinted and good mothers. Not so much the case, huh? Such a great thread to have us prepared to take over with the care if need be. momma would be best...but being prepared is a not a bad idea.

 

[Alaskan]

All these variable Mothering traits.  It's just something I took for granted...that if they stood their time hatching the chicks they'd be imprinted and good mothers.  Not so much the case, huh?  Such a great thread to have us prepared to take over with the care if need be.  momma would be best...but being prepared is a not a bad idea.

Me too, my first broody was just so perfect that even though thus one isn't a bad mother, she is a bit of a disappointment.

My first broody was so cute, I gave her all of the mail order chicks that arrived, and she was so attentive. It was marvelous watching her get panicked if one chick wasn't under her skirts. She would fuss and keep gently pushing until that giant horde of chicks were all completely tucked in. I look back and wonder, WHY in the world didn't I take pictures?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Those would have been some fun pictures to see. I love all the broody Momma/chick pictures on here. I think I've given everyone that's posted a pic an ovation as of late. LOL. Alaskan...you'll get another good Broody Momma...you just have to find her.