Broody Hens...2 in a Broody Buster?

[dunnmom]

Thank you for asking this question. I've often wondered if I had 2 broodies simultaneously and only 1 broody breaker, what I should do.

 

[Clarity1210]

That's my situation - one broody buster (a small dog crate) and 2-3 broody pullets. We put 2 in to start with - a standard Cochin and a bantam D'Uccle. The D'Uccle had already been broody 3 days. The Cochin was broken within three days, just in time because another Cochin was getting broody and I didn't think the space for 3 was great. The second Cochin broke after one day. The D'Uccle, however... well, we're going on day 10 in the broody buster and this past weekend we tried a few water immersions. At least she got distracted up to a half an hour, which was progress over the bullet-shot run back to the nest box of the previous week. This is our first year with chickens and I feel a little uncertain - should I keep persevering with the blasted box or let that little D'Uccle take her own obstinate path?

 

[aart]

This is our first year with chickens and I feel a little uncertain - should I keep persevering with the blasted box or let that little D'Uccle take her own obstinate path?

Well, there are some things to consider before allowing a broody hen to hatch out some chicks:

Do you have, or can you get, some fertile eggs?

Do you have the space needed?
For both more birds in your coop and run...
....and she may need to be separated by wire from the rest of the flock until after the hatch(can be much easier to manage a broody if she's separated).

Do you have a plan on what to do with the inevitable males? Rehome, butcher, keep in separate 'bachelor pad'?

This is a great thread for reference and to ask questions.
It's a long one but just start reading the first few pages, then browse thru some more at random.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

 

[Clarity1210]

Well, there are some things to consider before allowing a broody hen to hatch out some chicks:

Do you have, or can you get, some fertile eggs?

Do you have the space needed?
For both more birds in your coop and run...
....and she may need to be separated by wire from the rest of the flock until after the hatch(can be much easier to manage a broody if she's separated).

Do you have a plan on what to do with the inevitable males? Rehome, butcher, keep in separate 'bachelor pad'?

This is a great thread for reference and to ask questions.
It's a long one but just start reading the first few pages, then browse thru some more at random.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

Thanks, aart, for your reply. No, I don't have fertile eggs for her to hatch out, but next year I'm hoping to have a set up that would accommodate a mothering hen. I do have a plan for the males and for some culling. I'll check out the thread you quoted.