Broody -- Success in December!

[chickeypeep101]

Our golden phoenix hen went broody nine days ago, just after our rooster left. Went she got off i took two eggs and put them in the bator they are due December 3.

 

[gocrow77]

My broody silkie hen has done great with her foster chicks. She has never laid an egg for me - and I don't mind becuase she has another job in my flock - she cares for any and every chick she sees. Here you can go to FB and check her out with 10 chicks she is caring for here in the MO outdoors.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=123506&id=717873616&l=0f049c367e

I got her specificly because of her broodiness for a fellow BYCer who lives near me in California, MO. I couldn't be happier and plan to continue to hatch chicks for her to mother this winter. She does a great job of introducing them to the flock, showing them the right foods to eat, and defending them from anything perceived as a threat. It CAN be done in late fall and into winter WITH the right broody hen to help out. These chicks are doing much better than some of my indoor raised babies I hatched earlier this year. They are all thriving well! Best of luck to everyone with late hatches this year!

 

[DAFox]

Quote:
Do you have pics of what you are talking about with the totes?

Unfortunately, my camera is in NJ at the moment. But, maybe I can explain better.

I got two grey Sterilite brand storage totes from Walmart. The larger one is 18 gal. The smaller one is 10 gal. I will cut a 6 to 8 inch square-ish hole into the longer side of the bigger tote. Then I'll mark the smaller tote so I can cut a hole the same size and placement. I will then put a layer of something, maybe hay, in the bottom of the larger tote. I'll then place the smaller tote inside and stick hay all around to insulate between the totes. After putting hay inside, I'll put the top on the smaller tote. For the top insulation, I'll use a peice of foam to fit inside the larger tote, but, on top of the smaller tote. I'll snap the top on the larger tote. Using bungee cords, I will attach an open rabbit cage to the tote so the holes match up.
As the chicks get bigger, I'll get a larger tote combination to fit their needs, and make a larger fenced in area. The 10 gal tote is pretty small, but good to conserve heat.
Right now, the hen is in a single tote attached to an open rabbit cage.
Hope my explanation isn't confusing.
Dale-Ann

 

[DAFox]

Quote:
I'm glad that I don't have 3 at once! I have a Buff Orp Roo who could be the daddy of some of the eggs...maybe it does have something to do with the Buffs...

Did you give the broodies the eggs? Are they happy girls?
I'm sorry that you had a disappointment with the incubation. I hope that you can figure out what if anything went wrong. If you want to test again I can give you eggs from my hens (the ratio is 1 roo to 7 hens)...most of the chicks would be mutts though.
Dale-Ann

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Oh, you are too kind. Thanks for the offer, though. No, I don't need eggs. I have plenty here, that I could hatch, but don't want to. I just wish the broodies would have waited til spring! I did go ahead and give the silkies some eggs. They are now very happy! The BO changed her mind! I'm tellin' ya, I did everything to get her off the nest, several times a day! NOW, when I was gonna give her eggs, she agreed to get off the nest and go play! Aahhh, wouldn't ya know ... (sigh) ....

 

[ccrawf]

I live in SW Missouri also, and have a Blue Slate turkey that just started laying eggs. I have 5 now that I plant to put in the incubator tomorrow. I posted some where else on here about it, too. Be interested in getting to know others in the area better. I’ll try to keep every one up on my eggs. None of my chickens are broody. Maybe it is this warm weather we’ve been having here, who knows? I think it has more to do with the artificial light I have in the coop. When I first turned it on several weeks ago, I couldn’t find my timer, so it was on 24/7. Then I out the timer on it and probably have a 12 hour day for them.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Gee, maybe we need a, "SW MO," thread !

 

[DAFox]

Today is day 14 for my broody. We have dipped into the upper 20's at night. She's a trooper.
I had a potential problem yesterday. I noticed the door of the rabbit cage hanging down. I had relied on the hook that came with it to keep the door up, but now have wired it up so it can't accidentally come down again. Fortunately, Matilda was sitting on the nest.
I'm starting to get anxious. Only a week (or so) to go.

Kathyinmo, I figured you didn't need eggs, not with as many as you have, but, I couldn't help but to try to find another outlet for some eggs. I should have added that I'd pay you to take them.

How is everybody else's broodies doing?

Dale-Ann

 

[RevaVirginia]

I brought mine inside with her eggs at night in her nest and hatched 21 peeps but I'm just another chicken idiot.

Thinking I'll be more attentive to collection around the beginning of October to avoid having to be second momma because of the cold. That was a day short of three weeks ago (the new arrivals) and just put them outside yesterday in the brooder section of the coop with a brooder bulb. Seems like Momma and the peeps are content. The bulb is about 2 feet off the ground and I'm surprised at the distance they all keep from it at this point in their life. But Momma knows best.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Chickenmaven]

The best luck I have had is seperating the mama hen within my coop. I also allow her to brood her own chicks. Again, the whole gang is in their own pen within the coop. I would not worry about the chicks getting too cold. If they have their mom and a large quantity of bedding, they will do fine.