Broody Hen

[Jhawk23]

I have an old English game bird who is 6months old and broody for th first time. What are the odds she would successfully hatch an egg or 2? Or is it better to try and break her? She so far has sat on it without leaving for almost 4 days. If it can be successful I wouldn’t mind throwing some eggs under her but if it’s better for her to wait til she’s older I’d rather break her broodiness. Picture for fun bc she’s so cute!

 

[BoundlessLove]

I’d let her try. It will give her experience for when/if you really need chicks.
Do you have an incubator in case she quits?

 

[Jhawk23]

I’d let her try. It will give her experience for when/if you really need chicks.
Do you have an incubator in case she quits?

I do. I just wasn’t really sure if there is a certain age where they do better. I actually have eggs in the incubator now that are due to hatch in about a week. Would she take better to a chick? Or has she not been broody long enough?

 

[Beau plus penny]

how well they do is simply based on instinct and hormones so age doesnt matter in this case.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had great success with first time broody hens. I've had issues with some hens that were great the first time but not the second. You never get guarantees with living animals but I would not be concerned if it were her first time going broody or her fourth time.

One concern I'd have is the time of year. Broody hens can hatch and raise chicks in pretty cold weather but the risks are greater in your winters. What might be an inconvenience in better weather could be deadly in your Ohio winter weather.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

She's cute! Here is mine. She's 13 weeks. Good luck with her if you decide to let her hatch!

 

[Jhawk23]

how well they do is simply based on instinct and hormones so age doesnt matter in this case.

Thank you!

I've had great success with first time broody hens. I've had issues with some hens that were great the first time but not the second. You never get guarantees with living animals but I would not be concerned if it were her first time going broody or her fourth time.

One concern I'd have is the time of year. Broody hens can hatch and raise chicks in pretty cold weather but the risks are greater in your winters. What might be an inconvenience in better weather could be deadly in your Ohio winter weather.

That’s a good point. I have thought of the winters too. And am considering this as well. I’m in the very tip of Ohio by Kentucky so our winters aren’t terrible but still very much something I’m considering. Thank you!!

 

[Jhawk23]

She's cute! Here is mine. She's 13 weeks. Good luck with her if you decide to let her hatch!

She’s adorable!! They are one of my favorite breeds!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

She’s adorable!! They are one of my favorite breeds!

Thank you. She's a total sweetheart. My smallest bird (other than my 3 week olds), even though not my youngest of my "big group" which is all bantams and none are big, lol.