BYC Café

[Meg-in-MT]

I would be looking at the snake trying to figure out what species it is.

You are far braver than I...

 

[Shadrach]

This is why most breeders use incubators!

The breeders that I know here don't use incubators. They get a better hatch rate with a broody hen. Apparently it's all about knowing your hens and having the right types of nest.

 

[ronott1]

The breeders that I know here don't use incubators. They get a better hatch rate with a broody hen. Apparently it's all about knowing your hens and having the right types of nest.

there are differences in flock types. Here most breeds have had the broody gene bred out. It had to do with a focus on production when the battery hybrids came out starting in the 1950s.

I have not had a broody at my place in 5 years or so

 

[igorsMistress]

It must be sad to watch the deterioration associated with dementia!

It's horrible.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning Cafe got my giggles for the morning I hate Spiders do not care what kind Death to them all two cups of coffee BF and I are headed to Costco lost one blue Cochin's last night

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Morning Cafe got my giggles for the morning I hate Spiders do not care what kind Death to them all two cups of coffee BF and I are headed to Costco lost one blue Cochin's last night

Sorry to hear about the chickee, Penny! Do you know what happened with it?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Think from what BF said it got trampled 12 birds in there they seem to want all sleep in one heap finaly they are starting to let a bit around each other

 

[Shadrach]

NVM. Read further.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Sourdough english muffins toasted and sharp cheddar for breakfast yum

 

[Shadrach]

there are differences in flock types. Here most breeds have had the broody gene bred out. It had to do with a focus on production when the battery hybrids came out starting in the 1950s.

I have not had a broody at my place in 5 years or so

I was told this about the chickens here when I took over their care. There have been various breeds here over the years sourced from the UK, France and locally. Until I took over their care that had not been a single incident of a hen going broody.
I spoke to a few of the local chicken keepers here and the general consensus was the breeding out of such a basic instinct was complete nonsense.
I was told it's about how you keep them.
So, I listened to the people here who have been keeping chickens for centuries. It did take a bit of time but now every hen that lays eggs will go broody.
What reinforces the notion that the broodiness has not been bred out of many breeds is what happens when for whatever reasons those breeds that are supposedly bred to such a point go feral. There are plenty of reports of some of the American standard breeds reproducing and able to keep a maintain a thriving colony.