Broody Hen Thread!

[MelissaZeno]

Will Hen get broody within their first year generally?

 

[MelissaZeno]

Is the hatch rate of 50%/50% m,f the same in all hatches?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Is the hatch rate of 50%/50% m,f the same in all hatches?

I want say all hatches, but out of 20+ different breeds I have hatched----its been close 50/50 +/- !

 

[PD-Riverman]

Will Hen get broody within their first year generally?

I will say for Me---No. It can happen. For years I raised new chicks and sold all my last year raised hens-----I done this Every year and For all those years I never had a broody hen. Now I have some 1 to 4 year old hens and I set 32 this year alone----all of them being 2 years +.


BUT I think a Bantam like a silkie and game might set shortly after they hatch!!LOL

 

[MelissaZeno]

Thank you!

 

[fisherlady]

Will Hen get broody within their first year generally?

On most large fowl breeds I don't believe it is common but there are exceptions and if the bird comes from a breed line which has been kept for heritage quality instead of just egg numbers or feather patterns then chances improve.
I kept 5 silver pencil hens from a late May hatch last year, all 5 went broody and hatched chicks by the time they were 11 months old this spring, and 4 of the 5 had a second brood within 3 months of the first hatch.
So there are still some broody prone LF breeds to be found, but when looking you have to be willing to ask a lot of questions and maybe travel some distance to find what you want.

 

[Rhandi74]

Is the hatch rate of 50%/50% m,f the same in all hatches?

My first hatch with my broody hen was 3 pullets 1 cockerel. I guess it was beginners luck.

 

[fisherlady]

BUT I think a Bantam like a silkie and game might set shortly after they hatch!!LOL

Totally agree!! They may be mighty small but when it comes to broody duty they are mighty mothers!

 

[fisherlady]

Our faithful silkie, Gracie, hatched her clutch yesterday and today. 6/6 eggs which made lockdown. One was clear on day 10, another quit about day 15. The 6 we got are barnyard mixes and will keep her happy for a few weeks! Only was able to get a few pictures since she's keeping them pretty close yet.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Our faithful silkie, Gracie, hatched her clutch yesterday and today. 6/6 eggs which made lockdown. One was clear on day 10, another quit about day 15. The 6 we got are barnyard mixes and will keep her happy for a few weeks! Only was able to get a few pictures since she's keeping them pretty close yet.

I cheated, I put 10 silkie eggs under a game hen---she hatched all 10.