WestKnollAmy
The Crazy Chicken Lady
Quote:
I have 2 cochins hens that are always broody, a white one and a black one.. last year the white one sat on and hatched an EE egg, and was a super mom. I tried her again this spring, and she ate the eggs! I gave the black cochin a try, and she sat on and hatched 3 eggs, she ate 2 as soon as they hatched, I saved one!
I've just put some eggs under my white one again because she is relentless! she will just sit in a empty nest being all broody! I've put her on about 5 eggs in a large dog crate with food and water.... is there any other tips or suggestions you can give me to help her out?
thanks
Sue
I am not quite sure what type of info you would like.
If you are asking about them eating the chicks or eggs then I would suggest that you always feed starter. I like to add flax meal and rolled oats, too. I offer mashed hard boiled eggs, if I can and live meal worms. Once they have hatched chicks I add free choice BOSS and continue on with starter, flax and rolled oats and other treats until they wean the chicks at about 2 weeks old. Then they get that boring old laying mash again.
Most people think chickens eat eggs because they need more calcium but often they just want the protein. Though my chicken mash is 16% I add BOSS and anything else high in protein. They eat bugs all the time so their need for protein is pretty high, imo. Although, they did just watch a grasshopper go across the barn yard and no one bothered to go eat it. I think summer is winding down now. That tells me their protein levels are fine, even the ones that are molting out.
I seldom separate my hens from the flocks but it depends on breeds, too. Silkies and Cochins seem to enjoy the flock to help raise the babies. Where my Wyandottes dare anyone to get near the eggs or babies! They are good moms.
I have 2 cochins hens that are always broody, a white one and a black one.. last year the white one sat on and hatched an EE egg, and was a super mom. I tried her again this spring, and she ate the eggs! I gave the black cochin a try, and she sat on and hatched 3 eggs, she ate 2 as soon as they hatched, I saved one!
I've just put some eggs under my white one again because she is relentless! she will just sit in a empty nest being all broody! I've put her on about 5 eggs in a large dog crate with food and water.... is there any other tips or suggestions you can give me to help her out?
thanks
Sue
I am not quite sure what type of info you would like.
If you are asking about them eating the chicks or eggs then I would suggest that you always feed starter. I like to add flax meal and rolled oats, too. I offer mashed hard boiled eggs, if I can and live meal worms. Once they have hatched chicks I add free choice BOSS and continue on with starter, flax and rolled oats and other treats until they wean the chicks at about 2 weeks old. Then they get that boring old laying mash again.
Most people think chickens eat eggs because they need more calcium but often they just want the protein. Though my chicken mash is 16% I add BOSS and anything else high in protein. They eat bugs all the time so their need for protein is pretty high, imo. Although, they did just watch a grasshopper go across the barn yard and no one bothered to go eat it. I think summer is winding down now. That tells me their protein levels are fine, even the ones that are molting out.
I seldom separate my hens from the flocks but it depends on breeds, too. Silkies and Cochins seem to enjoy the flock to help raise the babies. Where my Wyandottes dare anyone to get near the eggs or babies! They are good moms.
