Broody Hen Thread!

[Loc20chick]

Game hens, old english game hens---------did I say Game hens-----Hatching Machines. I have set about 40 in the last year-----good moms!!

thanks.

 

[16 paws]

I don't have a broody hen but since you all have some, which breed have you seen to be consistently good at hatching?

OMG,

I have so many right now!!!!!!!!!

Blue Cochin
Buff Bantam Black Tailed Japanese
Bantam Black Cochin x2
Buff Silkie
Jersey Giant is in the broody buster coop because I just couldnt take it anymore!

 

[wahnsdlr]

Quick question:
I have 6 chicks, hatched from an incubator, that will be 2 weeks on Wednesday. In the meantime, I had a silkie go broody and gave her three eggs to sit on. Those hatched Sunday.
Any chance I can combine them all? I'm thinking the older chicks are too old, energetic, etc but was wondering if it was possible.
Also, if not now, is there a time that I could combine them before they all get turned out into the yard with the big chickens?

 

[phryan]

You do know if you breed a RIR rooster to a Barred rock hen----you get Black Sex-links. If the chicks are black with a white spot on its head-----(like a barred rock chick)----its a male chick-----if the chick is solid black----its a female??

You've discovered my secret plan.

In other news...built 2 new nest boxes out of 5 gal buckets. Girls have already picked up on what they are for, hopefully one will go broody and we can try a second batch.

 

[PD-Riverman]

You've discovered my secret plan.

In other news...built 2 new nest boxes out of 5 gal buckets. Girls have already picked up on what they are for, hopefully one will go broody and we can try a second batch.

OOOOOPs, sex-links have been breed for many, many years.

Are you using about 1/3rd of the lid on these 5 gallon bucket nesting "boxes"? I did use some of them some years back----got a few still hanging-----but in my opinion they are a little to small for the bigger hens----perfect for some of the smaller breeds. The rectangle cat litter buckets are taller and seem to work better for big chickens. I just use modified milk crates setting in wooden boxes. Using them---when I get a broody, I just pick the whole milk crate up---with the hen and eggs sitting tight and move them to the hatching pens.

 

[alsarve01]

Yay! Baby Buffy is here. My 1st chick hatched on the farm. Momma and baby are doing well. Only ended up w 1 egg. Oh well

 

[Deckgirls]

i have a broody silkie sitting on 4 easter egger eggs she refuses to move so every morning i have to throw her in the run for food and water

 

[suliah]

Weeellll...I persuaded her the first couple times.

This makes me feel better

 

[aart]

Quote: You've got to kind of play it by eye and ear, so to speak.

I wanted to be able to intervene if necessary and keep an eye on things,
so I 'handled' her almost every day, at least a touch and often offered some grain in my hand,
to get her used to me and I think that worked well.

She was never incredibly violent, but I also went in and stayed in with calm, slow determination despite being bit and squawked at.
I think animals react positively to calm and slow...and they also can react defensively if you are fearful and/or anxious.

Maybe I am lucky to have mellow birds, but I had not really handled either of my broodies before they went broody...and they weren't cuddlers.

 

[suliah]

You've got to kind of play it by eye and ear, so to speak.

I wanted to be able to intervene if necessary and keep an eye on things,
so I 'handled' her almost every day, at least a touch and often offered some grain in my hand,
to get her used to me and I think that worked well.

She was never incredibly violent, but I also went in and stayed in with calm, slow determination despite being bit and squawked at.
I think animals react positively to calm and slow...and they also can react defensively if you are fearful and/or anxious.

Maybe I am lucky to have mellow birds, but I had not really handled either of my broodies before they went broody...and they weren't cuddlers.

I will say that my girl isn't mean to me... I have a good relationship with my chickens, though she was one of the more cautious ones before... Even in her broody state she's never once pecked me and she stayed close and let me protect her from the other chickens. She knows I'm not trying to hurt her, and has never gotten too upset when I've touched her or moved her. I hear about broody's being mean, mine isn't mean but she does fluff up and make a noise to tell you she doesn't want you around. That's it. And when I moved her next to the food she IMMEDIATELY started eating. She was hungry. I made the right choice with that.