Broody suggestions and stories

[eastbaychicks]

So I have a sweet first time broody... she isn't pecking at me at all... but she is sitting on the next. She is so sweet, she lets her sisters squeeze in the nest to lay their eggs (she loves to take in their eggs) and then in turn she lets me take the eggs out from under her. I can even take her off the nest and hold her for a minute before she decides that it's time to get back on the nest, of course in a very calm and sweet way.

Anyway so I'd like to give her some chicks. I found someone that's semi-local that has babies from 7 days ago. Little Miss Piggy has been on the nest for a week. Let me know what you'd do. I don't have an incubator, and am nervous to give her fertile eggs. I'd really like to find some day old chicks... but I'm thinking only two to start out with. What would you do. What have you done? I've read a few threads and I would love to hear more stories. Tips and tricks are always good. I would love to have a few more chickens since I've lost three in the last six months.

 

[goldnchocolate]

If she has only been on the nest for a week I don't think she would be mentally ready for chicks, yet. Also, I think that chicks that are 7 days old are too old to slip under a broody and she may try to kill them rather than take care of them. Give her a couple more weeks on the nest and by then you may have found a source for some newly hatched chicks to give her.

I have a mama hen with 3 chicks that are 3 weeks old, now, and it's such a pleasure to watch them following her all around the pasture....so-o-o cute!

 

[eastbaychicks]

Awww, thanks for the cute picture. I can't wait to have a mama hen with babies! Ok... I'll wait till she's good and ready, and keep looking for day olds. I have to find them somewhere right?

 

[Hennie]

i agree, wait another couple of weeks and give her 6 fertile eggs, put the eggs under her when it is dark, that worked for me, I got 6 eggs from a friend and she hatched out 4 the other 2 eggs were clear(infertile) I have kept my hen and chicks away from the other hens to give her peace and quiet. She hatched the eggs at 20 days, they are 5 weeks old today! 2 Australops and 2 Langshans. (can't work out how to put pics on here or I would. Good luck with your adventure.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

You could give her some fertile eggs. One of my granddaughters little silkies went broody shortly after she started laying, She was sitting on clear eggs as the roo wasnt old enough yet I placed 2 jersey giant eggs under her (thats all that would fit) my grandson mistakeingly took one of the eggs out but she hatched the other one. Now this little black silkie has a jersey giant chick running her in circles. The chick is 3 weeks old and nearly as tall as she is but she protects it with her life.lol

 

[eastbaychicks]

Ok... so how much time is a normal amount of time for a broody to spend off the nest? I see her off the nest once a day and I'm wondering how long they can be off and still hatch eggs.

I LOVE the silky that defends the baby that's as big as her so funny!!!