Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[smyers32]

Well, the hen I thought was going broody wasn't in the coop when I went to lock up for the night. I found her belly up under a bush outside, not a mark on her. Eggbound? I hope so, I don't want to have to worry about some mystery illness. She didn't show any signs of illness. Shame I didn't find her sooner, she was a big gal would've given a good deal of meat, but she was stiff and cold by the time I got her.
Bummer. All around bummer.

 

[flower]

From what I've read a very determined broody will not be brokedn with fake eggs until she is given some chicks to raise.

 

[delisha]

Sorry to hear of your lost hen. Might want to think of doing and autopsy. I know I would.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep, yep...I'd cut that bird open and explore. Could be very educational and might satisfy your curiosity.

 

[smyers32]

That was my thought too, but didn't feel like doing it at 9pm. Could it still be done in the morning?

 

[flower]

Sorry to hear of your lost hen. Might want to think of doing and autopsy. I know I would.

I agree with the autopsy/necropsy. Silkies are very strange but I have not heard of an egg bound silkie. It would be good to know the cause of the demise ?

 

[Beekissed]

Yes...if she was eggbound, it will still be there. If it's anything obvious, you may be able to spot it right away. Let us know what you find? Take some pics if you can?

 

[delisha]

Hmmm..On that one I can't help you. Gasses in the gut might make doing the autopsy a real challenge if you take to long. Will only take 5 minutes to cut her open and see her organs. Just one slice up her belly. Pull open her rib cage. You might see an egg bound hen in 10 seconds of the first cut. Or yellow liver..or en enlarged heart.

 

[Pozees]

I've only had chickens for 3 years but trust me, that includes two years of trying to break Orpingtons of being broody. In the last two Springs, Iv'e had no less than 2 and sometimes 3 go broody at once. The best luck I've had is with them on a wire bottomed cage so air can move under their tushes. It breaks all but one in 3 days or less. The one, won't be broken I don't care what I do. I've tried every suggestion I've read here, and there are plenty. With that one exception, the wire bottomed cage up off the floor worked.
Most go broody twice a year and a couple will go broody three times a year. The broody cage works every time. Except with Sugar.

I didn't realize Orpingtons were so commonly broody. I may have to rethink what breed to get for brooding. I guess my next question would be to anyone who has had Orpington, Silkie and Cochin hens - is there one more likely then the others to go broody and to successfully brood chicks? Or is it more dependent on the way the birds are set up?

 

[NikkiMiChickie]

While we're talking broodies, how long does a new mom generally raise her chicks? How long before she begins to lay again? My broody Cochin is still mothering her 3 chicks, one is 4 weeks old and the other two are 3 weeks. I think that at least 2/3 are cockerels:/ Is it normal for pullet chicks to puff up their chests and chest bump? All three chicks do this, and one even tries to chest bump mama! I dont remember my batch of "spring chickens" exhibiting this behavior, but most of them were pullets... I figure we'll be eating these ones come spring... And I'm being much more selective about my next hatch!