Broody in Michigan Winter?

[Ridgerunner]

I'll bump this thread because of the time of year. Some people might find it interesting.

 

[wcbpolish]

I had a broody buff orpington come off with one chick this week. I took the chick away though, and plan to set more eggs under her... it seems cruel, but I have incubator chicks that are only a few days older, and it seems like a waste of her time to rear one chick.

But she managed despite starting incubating in sub zero temps.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If she hatched a chick and came off the nest, I doubt that she'll flip the switch again and start another round of setting.

 

[aart]

I had a broody buff orpington come off with one chick this week. I took the chick away though, and plan to set more eggs under her... it seems cruel, but I have incubator chicks that are only a few days older, and it seems like a waste of her time to rear one chick.

But she managed despite starting incubating in sub zero temps.

Welcome to BYC @wcbpolish !
This winter was nothing compared to 14/15.

If she hatched a chick and came off the nest, I doubt that she'll flip the switch again and start another round of setting.

True Dat^^^
Maybe give her all the chicks?

 

[wcbpolish]

Welcome to BYC @wcbpolish !
This winter was nothing compared to 14/15.

True Dat^^^
Maybe give her all the chicks?

1) She didn't actually come off... she's still sitting on 7 "duds" which I will replace.
2) I thought the older ones would not imprint on her correctly, but I did consider doing that.

 

[aart]

Quote: If the incy chicks were one day old and you got them under her just as her egg was hatching it would probably have worked.
Good luck with her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

1) She didn't actually come off... she's still sitting on 7 "duds" which I will replace.
2) I thought the older ones would not imprint on her correctly, but I did consider doing that.

I'd give her all the chicks. Put them under her just after dusk.
Otherwise if you put new eggs under her she'll be sitting for almost 2 months.

 

[Percheron chick]

I've stuffed 10 day old chicks under a broody that refused to be broken. Everyone did fine.

 

[wcbpolish]

I've stuffed 10 day old chicks under a broody that refused to be broken. Everyone did fine.

Well, I did what I did... but I'll keep it in mind for the next time... thanks all for the advice.

 

[wcbpolish]

I had a broody buff orpington come off with one chick this week. I took the chick away though, and plan to set more eggs under her... it seems cruel, but I have incubator chicks that are only a few days older, and it seems like a waste of her time to rear one chick.

But she managed despite starting incubating in sub zero temps.

She was successful with the 2nd batch of eggs. I gave her ten. Last night I counted at least 6 little chick faces, and when I reach under, I only find one unhatched egg. I placed water and food next to her, and dipped the beaks of a few of the chicks just to help mommy teach them what to do. Tonight I will remove the last unhatched egg and see if I can get mommy to move around a bit and show the babies the home. I need to clean the broody cage out too. Mommy has made it rather messy with her nasty broody poops.

I'll pop the unhatched egg in the incubator if if seems to have any life. I just don't want her to wait too long to the detriment of the other chicks.