Broodys

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silkie10 said:
I have questions on what chickens are good broody hens. I have a Silkie and i heard that they go broody allot. I have also heard that after the chicks are born the mamma will stay on the nest and if the chick leaves than the mamma will not follow. Therefor you are suppose to pull the chicks after they hatch. so what breeds are good broodys?
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Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC! :frow

I happen to be broody bound! :barnie

Yes, silkies are great, but it would be better if they could find a happy medium between brooding and laying. Unfortunately, brooding is only beneficial when you actually want chicks. But for MY silkies after laying a few eggs they are broody as ever and takes me a week in the breaker, 2 more weeks before they lay again, and after 2-3 more eggs it back to the breaker! :he Really stinks, and the breaker might actually break me! :( While they are busy brooding they really aren't great flock members and if hatching are continuing to lose SOME condition every single time. They become shakey and cranky... not much fun for their flock mates or the families would love to enjoy the really cool chickens. And after you've added all the chicks you can take... they still wanna go sit in the dark box and brood some more. Catching my frustration here? Most have been FANTASTIC mothers. How long it takes a hen to come off the nest will depend on the individual. Some of mine have been off by day 3 while others have stayed in their box for about 10 days. It may be relative to the mum, or how many chicks she is trying to familiarize herself with their voices. But EVERY situation is individual... even with the same broody.

They can't leave their nest on the first day of hatch, honestly the chicks aren't ready they are still getting their land legs under them. Plus they may not all hatch on the same day. I make sure they have feed and water nearby during the daytime ONLY (being always watchful for RATS, because they are chick/chicken predators and will eat them alive, no joke!). Chicks will venture out, but not too far. It's important to make sure they can get back in to the nest with mum. It's my understanding that turkey poults will not leave to look for food. And yes chickens will raise many species with success. The first hatched chicks may be ready earlier than those that hatch the next day. But mum can't leave later hatchers to chill down when the earlier kids have their land legs and should be able to make it back to her. Note, chicks don't want to leave their hen... they usually stay very close by and tuck under her as soon as there is danger or a need to warm up. And if they do get separated or disoriented it usually commences to loud distressed peeps which is met with mum clucking "I'm over here". That's why the the chicks HAVE to stay under mum for a few days because they are learning each others' voices. It's very important, and precious! :love

I have a hatchery Barred Rock as well as 2 French Black Copper Marans (not hatchery), that have both been GREAT broody's! My Marans has hatched and raised 1 clutch as well as being broken on her 2nd round this year. 2 rounds of broodiness SHOULD be enough for any hen in a season... but we're talking my Silkies have all raised not less than 1 clutch each, some 2... but all have been broody not less than 4 times, JUST this season! Also have had 2 Swedish Flower Hens go broody. And 1 hatchery Buff Orpington.

I guess my point is many breeds can be broody. And I/we LOVE silkies. But there are many other breeds that can make for a nicer overall bird than just a brood hen.

I NEVER EVER pull chicks from a broody unless she is actively pecking them down or there is some other injury or reason. That's kinda cruel. Sadly some people use broody's to hatch and then sell the chicks right out from under and stick more eggs for hatching. :mad: Fact is unless someone is sitting there watching or has a video recording, they may not know when the broody TRIES to lead chicks off her nest but heads back before you notice because 1 isn't ready yet.

So if you let a hen (I NEVER let pullets who are still growing sit) sit and hatch... you will be at least 3 weeks to hatch, 4-8 weeks of rearing depending on mum, and at least 2 weeks after that before they will start to lay eggs again. So that's a LOT of egg loss. Just as an FYI. :)

Sorry so long... I got passion! :D :pop
 

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