Broody Hen Thread!

[philipchickymad]

i have a gold brahma who hatched 4 chicks around 8 weeks ago and has ditched her chicks and now i think she has gone broody again what should i do , give her eggs to hatch again???

 

[fisherlady]

i have a gold brahma who hatched 4 chicks around 8 weeks ago and has ditched her chicks and now i think she has gone broody again what should i do , give her eggs to hatch again???

If she sticks in a nest day and night for a few days and you have room for more chicks or want some of a particular breed to keep or sell then let her go again.... if you are out of room or don't want her to raise another clutch for whatever reason then nip it in the bud and start removing her from the nest every time you see her in it and place her in the run with scratch or treats to keep her busy...

Both of the above choices also hinge on the hen's health being good. If she is 8 weeks past her previous hatch she should be fine, but if she is in poor condition/weight due to her last hatch then it would be better to hold off until her health is better.

 

[Penny Hen]

Chicken Little with her little Chickie.

 

[Chickens R Us]

Week two with my broody she is doing good so far. I candled the eggs tonight 3 look good and 1 still had just a small dark spot so I culled it. Keeping my fingers crossed, they should hatch next Friday.

 

[darkbluespace]

My hen has been broody just a few days... and I picked up my Serama eggs today, 6 with 2 extras and then couldn't help but get a couple of Silkie eggs ; ) She told me that the Serama often hatch on day 19 under a broody and I am assuming that the Silkie will take 21... So I was thinking of putting the Silkie eggs under her today to give them a one day head start and waiting till tomorrow to put the Serama eggs under her. Does this sound like a plan?? They would be due to hatch about a day apart.

This is just a big experiment... first broody ever, but she seems very dedicated. I am a little concerned she hasn't been off the nest at all but she could have while I was gone today and yesterday.

: )

 

[jerryse]

Momma and chicks left the nest today . I now have 4 broodies with chicks .

 

[fisherlady]

  My hen has been broody just a few days... and I picked up my Serama eggs today, 6 with 2 extras and then couldn't help but get a couple of Silkie eggs ; )   She told me that the Serama often hatch on day 19 under a broody and I am assuming that the Silkie will take 21...   So I was thinking of putting the Silkie eggs under her today to give them a one day head start and waiting till tomorrow to put the Serama eggs under her.   Does this sound like a plan??   They would be due to hatch about a day apart.

This is just a big experiment... first broody ever, but she seems very dedicated.  I am a little concerned she hasn't been off the nest at all but she could have while I was gone today and yesterday.

: )

Sounds like that should work just fine. One day difference shouldn't be a problem.

 

[fisherlady]

Momma and chicks left the nest today . I now have 4 broodies with chicks .

Sweet! Congrats on an adorable family!

 

[quailtrail]

@quailtrail  LOL!! What a hoot! You're math is worse than mine!  Never ask in the spring how many chickens I have.... ask in the fall....  At least the number stays consistent through the winter!!   Enjoy your...22+ more or less chickadees!!

Lol!!!

 

[quailtrail]

She is still broody! !! Will barely even get up off the eggs...