Broody Hen Thread!

[fisherlady]

[COLOR=FF0000]All four chicks are doing well and growing fast. I'm still amazed they hatched after being brooded in a moving vehicle for four days. This hen has earned a permanent place in my flock. She's a Japanese bantam.[/COLOR]

That is some incredible broody determination for sure!

 

[wannahomestead]

I have another broody australorp. I set her some duck eggs so we'll see what happens.

 

[lpyrbby]

When it comes to first time hatchery broodies, have they been successful at all or is them getting off the nest early a more likely possibility? In my case, I'm thinking of the Australorp who was thinking about it, but changes and stress probably made her rethink it.

I seem to remember that some hens will try to brood very shortly after being "broken" if it's something they want to do. If Betty goes broody, I really want to give her some eggs to hatch, but would hate to do it if the odds are against the first time broody hatch. I'm probably overthinking it because I have nothing better to do

 

[nchls school]

I have another broody australorp. I set her some duck eggs so we'll see what happens.

Good luck. I'm hoping some of my serama go broody soon.

 

[MayhemMarr]

ok so what is with the ducks? do they not go broody? and do they take longer to hatch than chicken eggs? if so by how much?

 

[fisherlady]

ok so what is with the ducks? do they not go broody? and do they take longer to hatch than chicken eggs? if so by  how much?

Yes, ducks go broody, usually more seasonal than chickens and some breeds more often than others. Duck eggs are longer to incubate, 28 days +, again it depends on breed.

 

[windyhawk]

When it comes to first time hatchery broodies, have they been successful at all or is them getting off the nest early a more likely possibility? In my case, I'm thinking of the Australorp who was thinking about it, but changes and stress probably made her rethink it.

I seem to remember that some hens will try to brood very shortly after being "broken" if it's something they want to do. If Betty goes broody, I really want to give her some eggs to hatch, but would hate to do it if the odds are against the first time broody hatch. I'm probably overthinking it because I have nothing better to do

I am a beginner myself but I did grow up around chickens at my grandparents. My TSC 6 month old White Rock hen just woke up one day and wanted to be a Momma. It has been almost 3 weeks and she is still relentless. I just moved her to a solitary suite in the doghouse where she quickly went back to sitting on her eggs. This sweet hen has been a wonderful brooder so far, hanging in there through 90+ degree heat the first 2 weeks!

 

[wannahomestead]

so far 2 of the 5 duck eggs I set are showing development. Dang, I was hoping for more. I'm thinking I probably can't toss any more under her either, since we're already like 4 or 5 days in

 

[fisherlady]

so far 2 of the 5 duck eggs I set are showing development. Dang, I was hoping for more. I'm thinking I probably can't toss any more under her either, since we're already like 4 or 5 days in

No, to add more now would cause a staggered hatch and that isn't good. You can add chicken eggs in another few days, since they hatch a week less than most duck eggs, this would help avoid a lone hatchling scenario...a duckling would rather have chicks for hatchmates than to be by itself.

 

[wannahomestead]

No, to add more now would cause a staggered hatch and that isn't good. You can add chicken eggs in another few days, since they hatch a week less than most duck eggs, this would help avoid a lone hatchling scenario...a duckling would rather have chicks for hatchmates than to be by itself.

I definitely plan to add some chicken eggs too.

Originally, I was going to pull the ducklings out and brood them separately, and leave some chicks for mama to raise. I may still end up doing that, I just was anticipating a few more, lol. I originally thought I would sell the ducklings, but if I only have 2 hatch, I may as well just keep them. We'll see what ends up happening though, there's still quite a while before I can be counting anything!