Broody hen troubles

[PD-Riverman]

I was really hoping the broody hens would find their own space out of the coop. They free range all day and are couped just at night. At a previous home I had a similar set up and had success with hens disappearing for a few weeks then showing back up with a whole mess of chicks. Maybe my current hens are just to young for this ( not yet a year ). I'm surprised the current broody is still on eggs as it has been over a month. Thanks again for the advice.

Is this the same hen setting you posted about over 4 weeks ago that had already been setting 2-3 weeks when you posted that post????

 

[davidschaffer]

I can't be 100% sure but I think so.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I can't be 100% sure but I think so.

Well to save you a lot of frustration in the future and before you get another broody hen----ask How, so "We" can tell you exactly what you need to do so you do not have to deal with this again. I know a lot of people on her know what needs to be done----I personally have set app 150 hens in the last 3 years---all 150 hatched 21 days after setting and all 150 hatched 99+% of the fertile eggs that "I" put under them. Don't stress yourself out----its simple.

 

[rebrascora]

@PD-Riverman

Hi

It's really interesting that you set so many broodies and I would guess that is small/medium scale commercial production level. I have 3 or 4 broodies a year and some set twice, which keeps my flock expanding at a faster rate than I can cope with for a hobby poultry keeper.

I think it is wonderful that you use broody hens as I'm a keen advocate of them, but find it really surprising that it would be efficient at a commercial level when incubators are so widely used and reliable and can be set away at any time of year. Do you have a particular breed of broody ie silkies or just whatever presents itself? Do you buy in known broody hens to do the job or just have a particularly broody flock? Do you find that you get better success with broodies than incubators? Do you find that the chicks are more robust when broody reared? I don't have an incubator, so broody hen rearing is all I know.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm fascinated with the idea, as I assumed all commercial enterprises would only use incubators, which I think is really sad and may be why so many chicks die.

 

[PD-Riverman]

@PD-Riverman

Hi

It's really interesting that you set so many broodies and I would guess that is small/medium scale commercial production level. I have 3 or 4 broodies a year and some set twice, which keeps my flock expanding at a faster rate than I can cope with for a hobby poultry keeper.

I think it is wonderful that you use broody hens as I'm a keen advocate of them, but find it really surprising that it would be efficient at a commercial level when incubators are so widely used and reliable and can be set away at any time of year. Do you have a particular breed of broody ie silkies or just whatever presents itself? Do you buy in known broody hens to do the job or just have a particularly broody flock? Do you find that you get better success with broodies than incubators? Do you find that the chicks are more robust when broody reared? I don't have an incubator, so broody hen rearing is all I know.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm fascinated with the idea, as I assumed all commercial enterprises would only use incubators, which I think is really sad and may be why so many chicks die.

If you have not read a lot of my post----I do use broodies, but I have hatched 1000's and 1000's, well app 5700 just last year in my incubators---mainly cabinets, but I still use some Styrofoam ones too, plus the extra ones hatched by my broodies, Yes I do sell most as chicks. My Favorite broody is Old English Game, but have used many different breeds with my broody hens.

I find the chicks grow best in brooders and feel its because they can eat day and night. The ones with the broody hens might grow a little slower but they do good because they are in the weather from birth.

Edited to add/answer your other question---I NEVER, Never Buy chickens and bring to my farm----But I have bought chicks straight out someones incubator.

 

[davidschaffer]

Now I have two hens on the nest. One that likely has been there for over a month and another that is on day two. I'm thinking about kicking the original one off as she is probably in need of it and starting over with fresh eggs. Any ideas?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Now I have two hens on the nest. One that likely has been there for over a month and another that is on day two. I'm thinking about kicking the original one off as she is probably in need of it and starting over with fresh eggs. Any ideas?

Why has she been on the nest a month or more?? Eggs Not fertile???? Sure I would break her if she is not about to hatch. You can candle the eggs to see. If you are going to start over, collect every how many eggs you want to put under the other hen--- Mark them Good----place them ALL under her the same day and do not add more later. Look under her Daily and remove fresh layed unmaked eggs. In 21 days you should have chicks.

 

[Teila]

Howdy davidschaffer

You have received some great advice from rebrascora and I just wanted to echo that I also like to give my broodys their own space when they are sitting and raising their bubs.

With my very first hatch I had hoped that mumma would be able to raise her little ones with the flock but the dynamics were such that the chicks risked injury and mumma and bubs were moved to their own little area.

Moving them does mean that you will have to integrate her and the bubs back into the flock when they are older but that works best for me.

It really does depend on your flock dynamics and the set up you have.

I actually replied and joined in on the thread as I wanted to respond to your latest post.

While a broody is sitting on the nest she is getting the bare minimum of feed and water which results in her losing some weight and condition. Then, after sitting for three weeks, she devotes herself to caring for her bubs with herself as second priority meaning her condition can deteriorate a little more.

So with your gal, if she has already been sitting for a month and you give her more eggs, that is another three weeks she will be sitting and then five to six weeks raising the little ones.

If it was me, I would definitely be trying to break her of her broodiness this time around to give her a chance to build up her condition.

If the new broody has only been broody for a couple of days, she would be the best one to give some eggs.

I also just wanted to echo rebrascora’s mention of parasites. A broody on the nest is a nice warm, stationary food supply for lice and mites and for that reason, again just my thoughts, but I would probably start off with a fresh nest for the new broody and eggs or at least ensure that the nest, which sounds like it has been occupied for at least four weeks, is dusted.

Good luck and please let us know how you go?

 

[davidschaffer]

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like the best move would be to pull the origanal brooder off the nest and start afresh. I can tell the original brooder is in need of a "regular" life. She has definatley lost some weight. My only hesitation is the last time I considered doing this I believe I messed up her hatching day by trying to candle the eggs. I will pull them both off tomorrow and see what I find. I'm considering going the route of an incubator. Any tips on one that would only see use once a year for maybe 6-12 eggs? I really like the hens and Roo I have right now. It would be great to keep them around, via there offspring, for as long as it makes sense. Thanks

 

[davidschaffer]

No suggestions on incubators?