broody questions

[squeak1387]

I have a broody hen who has been sitting for a bit now. The only thing is I don't know exactly how far she is. Is there any advice anyone can give me on telling how far along the eggs are so I know when I will see babies.

 

[hannakat]

Do you know when she started sitting? Candling them might give you an idea but it would be hard unless you've done a lot of it.

It's gonna be one of those wonderful surprises! One day (hopefully soon) you'll see some little fuzz butts hiding under her

 

[squeak1387]

I have another question. This is my first Broody hen so I don't know much about them. If I take a hens babies once they hatch, how long till she will lay again. What about he going broody again? If it helps to know her breed is buff orpington.

 

[scooterward]

There is a wonderful post on here about candling eggs that have great pictures. By comparing the pictures to your eggs, it should give you an indication of how far along yours are.

I had my first broody hen, Rebekah, hatch her egg on May 12. I let her rear her chick (Bella). About a month or so after hatching, Rebekah started weaning Bella. Bella still calls for her mom but her mom doesn't answer back. Rebekah did not lay during this time and has just started again recently. We have another broody hen, Sophia, and Rebekah will sit on her eggs to help her out but then gets off.

Personally, I feel that it is important for the mom to rear her baby - it's a great benefit and such a win-win situation all the way around. A delayed egg production is worth the wait. And it really isn't for that long of a period, especially if you have others laying.

Good luck!
Melissa