Broody Hen Thread!

[Rhandi74]

Weee photos Here is my pullet who is going broody. She has been muh better at staying on the nest today, so hopefully she will stay sitting and i can put some eggs under her, as long as she takes a move alright haha. At the mo she's hogging the nest boxes, and the other heans haven't dared get in there to lay the last few days. She's a splash Easter egger. I'm guessing the gold in her hackle feathers is from gold leakage? And here is my friend's broody hen that hatched we put some of my eggs under. The eggs actually came from the above girl, and my rooster who is a blue red crow wing. Out of 7 eggs, 6 hatched, so not too bad at all From chick colouring, i'm guessing i have one black, 3 blue, one splash, and 1 that is a very pale silvery grey with big white patches. Be interesting to see what it matures to look like. Adoptive mum was highly unimpressed by my disturbing them to take photos, and told me off the entire time haha

They are so cute!!! I love the hens colors, also.

 

[Penny Hen]

They are so cute!!! I love the hens colors, also.

Your EE may be a Splash Copper. Like a Black Copper Marans but in splash.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Are RIR's a broody breed?

 

[TwistedFeathers]

Your EE may be a Splash Copper. Like a Black Copper Marans but in splash.

That could be a possibility, but no idea what her father is, so could be anything really. Either way, she's very pretty and such a character. it's weird going out to the back yard and not having her come sprinting when she sees me. If she thinks i am taking to long with treats she stands of my feet, and sometimes jumps up against my leg.

 

[Veer67]

Are RIR's a broody breed?

Generally no. Most commercial chicken breeds have had their broodiness bred out. Hatchery chickens are bred mostly for egg production so broodiness would not be desirable. Once in a while you will get a broody out of a breed which is said t be rarely broody, however usually these hens will not be reliable as broodies (though it varies).
This year one of my White Leghorns became broody and is currently incubating 2 EE eggs underneath her. She's been a good broody so far!

 

[luvmypets]

I have a RSL hen who has been broody for a while. We gave her 2 pipping duck eggs that she accepted and hatched.

 

[Morrigan]

It's day 20 and we have one chick who just couldn't wait another day. He/she is really active, bouncing all over the place and poor mom is still trying to manage the 9 eggs left under her.

 

[calichicken]

It's day 20 and we have one chick who just couldn't wait another day. He/she is really active, bouncing all over the place and poor mom is still trying to manage the 9 eggs left under her.

Poor momma hen!!! Looks like she is looking at that little one like "You couldn't have waited for the others????" LOL

Adorable chick

 

[minnehaha]

I had the same set-up but the only flaw is when you have to access the eggs for candling, its very hard. Unless you can slide the tray out (that means you do not have enough shavings under the eggs), it is very hard to take any eggs, newborn chicks that might need extra care out.

Good Good points Junibutt. I can actually slide the tray out of the dog crate which will bring the nesting box closer to the opening. The nesting box has a bottom and is very well padded with shavings. I guess I should candle them. I was considering leaving them be, but with over 100 degree heat an exploding rotten egg would be an even bigger nightmare.

I woke up this morning a little panicky wondering if my broody is turning the eggs. I guess there is really no way of knowing is there?

 

[minnehaha]

It's day 20 and we have one chick who just couldn't wait another day. He/she is really active, bouncing all over the place and poor mom is still trying to manage the 9 eggs left under her.

Hahahahaha...she does look like she is chastising the impatient little chick! Great picture!!