Broody Hen Thread!

[SIMZ]

Just an interesting observation - Seven of the thirteen Dark Cornish girls we got from McMurray have gone broody in their first year, with two of the seven repeating after a short time. I don't know what other people have experienced with this breed, but these girls are dedicated! Lol!

I have two from Meyer and one of them has gone broody twice in year (also her 1st year). I read that they can be good mother, so broodiness must not be that unusual with them.

 

[SIMZ]

They should be fine..... we have had similar ages running without adult supervision without problems. Keep watch the first few days to make sure they are tucked in safe each evening. I have also had hens ditch the chicks for roosting at night but still hang out with them during the day for another week or so. Sometimes the chicks don't catch on to her 'follow me' command and they return to their broody nest, not realizing it's time to graduate to a big bird roost. you will have to watch and see how it goes.

Update: All is going ok. She does hang out with them some during the day, just like you said. I've ever seen her going into their little coop with them in the evening to eat, but them goes into the main coop.

 

[alibabba]

We keep seeing evidence of it digging under the fence at night, but haven't seen it to kill it since this happen ed. I don't think we touched any of the saliva or body fluids, my SO put gloves on to get the poor girl out of the nesting box and I closed it off completely to disinfect it. I know that skunks are a big carrier of rabies, but I didn't think about the saliva. Thanks!

A skunk behaving normally, probably not a worry.
just taking care in case is always a good idea. Poor chickie. Sorry for the loss. Sure it was a "kunker"? saw it?

 

[Demidog]

Demidog, Hope it all works out,

I'm excited to see an update

I gave her 4 chicks last night and she took them in like they are her own. When i went in the shed they were tweeting a lot and she started clucking and left the nest, climbing over me, seemingly to look for them. I had them in a box by my feet and she was clucking and looking around. I popped them all in the nest and she went back in and sat on them Then this morning the chick that had pipped yesterday was out. It's beautifully colored like the other so it's also from one of the Italian crosses. I put food and water in and then when i checked back she was sitting by the food with 4 of the new chicks. I put her two down beside her because they were alone in the next box, and i put the last egg under her because it was cold but she keeps moving and not staying on it so now I've got it in my bra! lol I've candled it a few times and the last time i can now see it's broken through the air cell and is on it's way! Fingers crossed it makes it!

I've also put the rest of the chicks with her and she's accepted them all no problem

 

[chicksurreal]

I have two from Meyer and one of them has gone broody twice in year (also her 1st year). I read that they can be good mother, so broodiness must not be that unusual with them.

The McMurray website says that they are prone to being broody, so I expected it to some degree, and with the exception of one that killed most of her chicks as they hatched, they've been really good mothers.

 

[chicksurreal]

A skunk behaving normally, probably not a worry.
just taking care in case is always a good idea. Poor chickie. Sorry for the loss. Sure it was a "kunker"? saw it?

Yes, we saw it. and the smell in the nesting box gave no room for question. Yuck!

 

[Beour3rd]

Quote: hostile chickens. the hen helps the chicks up until they are fuzzy and ready to walk out and then she kills it. (all the hens are doing this)

 

[16 paws]

hostile chickens. the hen helps the chicks up until they are fuzzy and ready to walk out and then she kills it. (all the hens are doing this)

This just doesnt sound right to me. What do you mean until they are fuzzy and ready to walk out? Walk out of what?

 

[Free Feather]

I gave her 4 chicks last night and she took them in like they are her own. When i went in the shed they were tweeting a lot and she started clucking and left the nest, climbing over me, seemingly to look for them. I had them in a box by my feet and she was clucking and looking around. I popped them all in the nest and she went back in and sat on them Then this morning the chick that had pipped yesterday was out. It's beautifully colored like the other so it's also from one of the Italian crosses. I put food and water in and then when i checked back she was sitting by the food with 4 of the new chicks. I put her two down beside her because they were alone in the next box, and i put the last egg under her because it was cold but she keeps moving and not staying on it so now I've got it in my bra! lol I've candled it a few times and the last time i can now see it's broken through the air cell and is on it's way! Fingers crossed it makes it!

I've also put the rest of the chicks with her and she's accepted them all no problem

The bra is a good idea! I can think of a few occasions where I have had an egg or two in the process of hatching that was ditched, and I was scrambling for a warm place to put it. I would not try the whole incubation period like that, but it sounds like a great idea for hatching.

 

[sharol]

Quote:
The best of all possible outcomes. Happy chicks, happy mom.