Broody

[cge7]

bit of a long one, not sure if this is the right spot but here it goes

the oldest of my 5 pullets just started laying the other day outside of the nest boxes, I moved the eggs into one nest in hopes shed get the hint and start using them...NOPE! turns out the oldest (a rescue that escaped an attack and showed up all bloody at work) took a liking to the eggs and went/started going broody.

Im definitely not opposed to getting her a couple eggs to hatch BUT im not sure how to go about it.
- Does she need to be separated from
the rest of the flock until hatching?
- what about after hatching when the chicks are young?
- will this separation cause issues when shes imtegrated back with the flock?
- when do you separate mom and chicks?
- is it okay to have all chicks and mom in the same flock?

 

[Mckennas poultry]

I guess were on the same boat, separate her but don’t have her too far away from the flock so they can at least see eachother, make a nice cozy nest and pop a few eggs in, she’ll have them hatched in 3 weeks

 

[Mckennas poultry]

When they hatch you could have her separate, but you could try introducing them to the flock a few days after hatch, just make sure the mother hen is protecting them and that there aren’t any other hens pecking at the chicks

 

[cge7]

thier coop is 4x6 (will be going to 4x8 and elevated 2-1/2' so could i move her there and put some chicken wire up to separate her from the rest of the flock? this wont cause any issues when everyones together again?

And shes only been sitting for about 2 days when is it safe to say shes gone broody and move her/get eggs? dont want to buy them and move her then have her stop

 

[Mckennas poultry]

Yes, put some chicken wire up and make sure she has acces to food and water, if she’s been comfortably sitting for 2 days then I’d say it’s fine, mine has to wait another four days till her eggs arrive as I want her to hatch a spacific breed.

 

[cge7]

thanks for the feedback; going to let her sit tomorrow while i set up/close off an area and move her tomorrow and make sure she isnt going to stop on me then go get her a few eggs sunday.

A farm near me is selling each of these: - True Araucana - 3 pens: 1) most are rumpless hens with new large double-tufted, tailed pure black rooster, 2) white rumpless hen with rumpless roo, 3) splash rumpless hen with black double tufted, tailed roo. These birds are very good blue / blue-green egg layers.
- White rock roo x golden laced, large fowl cochin mix
- Black. tailed, tufted araucana roo x golden laced cochin. Offspring may be olive eggers.

Any thoughts on any of them?
Also, I know there is no way of knowing until hatch but m hoping to get only a couple more hens from this hatch - is there a certain number of eggs that I should get for her? (3-4 / 4-5 if I'm hoping for 1-2 more hens??)

 

[aart]

You'll need to decide if you want her to hatch out some chicks, and how you will 'manage' it.

Do you have, or can you get, some fertile eggs?

Do you have the space needed? Both for more chickens and she may need to be separated by wire from the rest of the flock. I find separating broody much easier, then letting them back into flock after a week or so, but I have the space in coop to do so.

Do you have a plan on what to do with the inevitable males?
Rehome, butcher, keep in separate 'bachelor pad'?

If you decide to let her hatch out some fertile eggs, this is a great thread for reference and to ask questions.
It's a long one but just start reading the first few pages, then browse thru some more at random.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

 

[Mckennas poultry]

@Art did you read what I said on my thread? Is that just a normal thing ?

 

[cge7]

i just moved her with a nice little nest and the eggs shes been sitting on to where she will be separated from
the flock (4'x8'x30" tall area below the existing coop platform); she hasnt sat back on them yet but assuming she does, I would like her to hatch some out

any males that hatch out would be rehomed to my friends 300 acre farm with a free roaming flock

i have the space for moree but not too many more..i'm at six now

 

[Mckennas poultry]

i just moved her with a nice little nest and the eggs shes been sitting on to where she will be separated from
the flock (4'x8'x30" tall area below the existing coop platform); she hasnt sat back on them yet but assuming she does, I would like her to hatch some out

any males that hatch out would be rehomed to my friends 300 acre farm with a free roaming flock

i have the space for moree but not too many more..i'm at six now

Aslong as she has acces to food and water and she can get out of her coop to do her poop then she’s fine
You could also buy mite droplets from your local vet to prevent her from getting mites as she will not have the time to dust bath as she is broody.