Care of a Broody

[Wildsky]

Well I finally have a broody hen

She's been sitting for almost a week now - but I just got eggs for her in the mail today - she's currently sitting on a golf ball and eggs laid in her box by the other hens...

Anyway, I need to know if there is anything special I should be doing for her. I do give her a handfull of sunflower seeds and feed in the mornings, in the evenings I give her another handfull of food and I hold a little tupperware with water for her - while she GROWLS at me and drinks

She got off the nest that I saw yesterday when I was handing out spahgetti noodles, she grabbed some, grumped at everyone else - and then went back to her nest.

Will she get off and get water when she needs to? I'm concerned that she get what she needs.......

 

[Matt A NC]

She will get off every day or 2 to do her business. I seperate my broodies so others won't try to lay in her nest. When another hen trys to squeeze down beside a broody, eggs can get broke.

Just in case I do mark all eggs on the ends. The sides get rubbed clean by the hen as she turns them.

Matt

 

[Wildsky]

Thanks Matt - I'll need to mark the eggs a bit better!

I don't want to separate her - I just want them all to know those babies from day one and for her to protect them so I don't have to try do introductions.....

I took out and threw out 10 eggs yesterday that she was sitting on - and she still had some under her that I left, I need to sneak in and put these others under her - she'll be thrilled... and still probably GROWL at me.

 

[Wildsky]

I just gave her her new eggs

I bribed her with a strawberry and rooted out all the other eggs, and presented her with 6 new bantam eggs, and 4 standards.

WIth any luck - she'll be the mommy of some Japanese bantams, some Old English game bantams - and some Speckled Sussex! Boy is she gonna be confused (she's a BO), and the roo is going to be MADDER than a wet hen -

 

[Freebie]

My BO is currently sitting on 9 eggs. She had 10, but one was broken yesterday. I had to take it out. It is so funny when they growl at you. Buffy is a very good mama, but the barn cats can make a quick meal out of baby chicks. I did not lose any last year. but I had a couple of close calls. (not with Buffy but another broody) Mine are due to hatch on the 16 of May. Happy hatching to you. And keep us posted.

Denise

 

[Wildsky]

This is my first time with a broody - so I hope SHE knows what to do

I really WORRY too much - and I just need to sit back and let her do it.. if they hatch then good, if not oh well at least I tried.

They should hatch on the 21st or 22nd.... now the long wait!