Broody season?

[Cryss]

I have a Barred Rock (about to be hen March 1st) that seemed to act a bit broody this morning. I'll see how she acts as the week goes. Meanwhile I wondered if it was too early to successfully let a hen be broody. I'm in Northwest NJ near the Delaware Water Gap. Not sure I'm ready and I won't do it if I'm not ready but I am curious.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

A broody can hatch a clutch at any time of the year.....if SHE is ready, then you are good to go! Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

amen - don't stick eggs under her till she has sat for a couple of days. Then mark the eggs and let her go! I also found I get a bit better hatch rate at 8 eggs, verses 12 eggs.

I am wishing, but it will be a while for me...mine typically wait till late May.

MRs k

 

[ldrchickens]

I had three hens successfully hatch last week. They hatched a total of 20+ eggs only 3 eggs were not successful. Throughout the whole incubation period it was temperatures bounced around like crazy. Up into the 70s and down into the 20s. I was worried the cold days when they got off to eat and drink would terminate the hatch but nope!

 

[aart]

Have had them go any time of year...my first I let hatch in a frigid Jan/Feb.
But I had a good setup for her behind wire in the main coop.
Worked out OK but will never do it again.

Be sure you have the space, and are willing to deal with the ~50% males, or it can end up being a disastrous PITA.

 

[N F C]

I have a Barred Rock (about to be hen March 1st) that seemed to act a bit broody this morning. I'll see how she acts as the week goes. Meanwhile I wondered if it was too early to successfully let a hen be broody. I'm in Northwest NJ near the Delaware Water Gap. Not sure I'm ready and I won't do it if I'm not ready but I am curious.

If you let her try it, I hope you'll share the results!

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are many signs a hen may be thinking about going broody. I've had hens show most of them and never really switch into full broody mode. The way I tell if a hen deserves eggs is that she has to spend two consecutive nights on the nest instead of in her normal roosting spot.

I don't know how many eggs you were thinking about setting. Hens and eggs come in different sizes. I once had a hen hide a nest in warm weather and bring 18 chicks off. I never found her nest so I don't know how many eggs she had. I had a hen that 10 of the size she laid was the most I was comfortable with her trying to cover. I typically put 12 eggs under a hen but I try to stay flexible.

But in colder weather I cut back on that number. Not because of hatch rate but because the chicks grow so fast. In summer it is not much of a deal. I've seen newly hatched chicks sleep on the hen instead of under her. But in colder weather she needs to be able to cover them all. My one attempt in cold weather I only set 8 eggs instead of the typical 12.

Good luck if you decide to try it.

 

[Cryss]

I won't allow hatchings if I don't have room or am not prepared to deal with resulting roosters. If I ever do find myself in a position to allow hatchings (something I definitely want to do at some point) I will most certainly share. I will have to! I'll need all the help I can get!