CHICKENS ALMOST READY TO LAY!?

[Joe Jordan]

Haha! Congrats!

 

[BackyardAnita]

I'm sorry, but i am still pondering about my second question. How long after a hen starts laying can it become broody? weeks, months?
Answer if you can!
thanks!

 

[jtbrown]

Broody question -- depends on the bird. I have had birds for nearly two years (I know not that long). I got my first broody when they were just over one year old, which was this spring. However, my new batch of birds included silkies, and they are nearly 8 months old, and they are BOTH broody NOW, they have only been laying eggs for a few months! I am excited to hatch some more birds out this spring, much easier than maintaining a brooder. At least for us it was easier.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

I have one that went broody a month after she started laying.....wierd.....just up to the individual bird.

 

[BackyardAnita]

thx! I would like mine to take care of some chicks im going to get, and i was just wondering if i could get them broody.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Nope, you don't get them broody, they do it all on their own when THEY want to.....

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

My three chickens are going to start laying soon!

1) How long after they start squatting do they start to lay? Answer: In my experience it is just a few days after they start squatting

2) When one starts to lay does it encourage the others to start laying? Answer not always but they do get the idea

3) How long after the hen starts laying can it become broody? I have a Japanese bantam that went broody 17 days after she started laying and she had only laid 9 eggs

 

[BackyardAnita]

yes i know they get broody when they want to.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

With any luck, after a while you'll get one of your girls who decides she wants to be a mommy...I wish mine would give up on the idea! She drives me crazy, she's gone broody three times and I do not want to let her have any eggs until spring....by then maybe she will have decided she does not want to be a mother, just my luck...or she might turn out to not be a good mom.