broody hens

[greeneggs444]

If you never collect your hen's from the start, can you start taking their eggs? and if you order some chicks, just a few, will they start to make their own flock if you don't take their eggs?

 

[ginger c.]

Quote:
They won't make a flock without a rooster.

I think about 1 roo for 16 hens is enough.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

My Buff Orpington went broody and she wasn't even laying. She sat on the nest box 24/7 on nothing but pine shavings for weeks. We had to pull her off the nest a few times a day just to make sure she ate and dranik.

Lucky for us (and her) we had five babies coming from MPC and we slipped them underneath her while it was still dark out and by light of day she was mothering them like you wouldn't believe. They are three weeks old now and are thriving!