Do you think my white rock would be a good mother?

[Flixflaxnoob]

I think not. She's the most flighty. She was the bottom of the pecking order and when I integrated two new pullets, she was the meanest to them (maybe because was always the lowest?). But she's the most broody chicken of my flock! She's already gone broody 3 times this year. And she's mean when she's broody. I don't think I'll be giving her eggs to hatch anytime soon, mostly because I don't want to worry about the trauma it might cause to my 6yo if she ends up killing the chick, but I am curious if it's possible to know how good a mother a chicken will be by their behavior before hatching any babies.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am curious if it's possible to know how good a mother a chicken will be by their behavior before hatching any babies.

Not in my opinion. I've had first time broody hens and even pullets be great mothers. I've had a hen that had been a great mother to her first brood be horrible to her second. You do not get guarantees with living animals.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Not in my opinion. I've had first time broody hens and even pullets be great mothers. I've had a hen that had been a great mother to her first brood be horrible to her second. You do not get guarantees with living animals.

I agree. We had a dog do great with her first litter of pups. The 2nd, I may as well have raised. She wasn't mean to them, just basically tried to ignore them and I had to make her nurse them. She was fixed immediately thereafter.

 

[WingItRanch]

I have an Olive Egger pullet that went broody last week. All the methods I've used to break my other broodies didn't work on her. She was determined! So I finally cracked and gave her some fertilized eggs. I'm also concerned about her ability to be a good mom but there really is no guarantee. You just have to trust the process (as other BYC members have advised me).

Ironically, my girl is also kind of low in the pecking order. I wonder if there is something to that... are the low ladies more likely to go broody?

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

Ironically, my girl is also kind of low in the pecking order. I wonder if there is something to that... are the low ladies more likely to go broody?

I would also like to know this, but I thought the breed played more a factor. Though buff orpingtons are supposedly known to go broody and mine haven't yet. Uncharacteristically, my buff is also the bully and not the friendliest.

 

[WingItRanch]

I would also like to know this, but I thought the breed played more a factor. Though buff orpingtons are supposedly known to go broody and mine haven't yet. Uncharacteristically, my buff is also the bully and not the friendliest.

The one I have sitting on eggs right now is an Welsummer/Easter Egger mix. 2 breeds known to NOT go broody.

 

[Mrs. K]

Sometimes, it is the people trying to be very conscientious and kind, that can ruin a broody hen. People tend to want 100% hatches and 100% live chicks, blaming the broody when they don't.

Then often times, for the 'best of reasons' people separate the broody hen from the flock. Then about 3-4 weeks, when the broody's hormones are falling, they put her back into the flock, where she has no status, no territorial rights, and is fighting for her own status, and chicks are on their own...again, a bad mother.

But if you just leave them alone. Every so often, some once a day, some every 3rd day, they get off the nest and go out to eat, dust bathe and terrorize the layers. I swear, once I heard the Rooster say, "Hey, Mother feathers, I AM the rooster!" But she paid him no mind! haha

Thing is she is on a hormone high, she stomps around, puffs up like a beach ball and puts the fear of God into the layers. They give her a lot of space, and they get in the habit of giving her the space.

Then when the chicks hatch, well the layers keep their distance (if there is enough space in the run). They get used to the puff balls, and while they may give a peck here or there. The chicks learn proper society (which means keep out of the layers reach, they are fast as lightening) and the broody hen for 3-9 weeks will protect them.

By a week old, the layers have accepted the chicks, and the flock is fine. Some broody's will keep their chicks for several weeks, and some will forget their chicks about 3-4 weeks. The chicks are on their own, but will do fine in the flock at that age.

So I have never had a bad broody, but I have had chicks die. Some were fail to thrive (a genetic disorder) some got pushed out of a nest, or stuck somewhere. I do keep an eye on them and try and prevent those, but it does happen.

I always hatch a broody. Even if it means selling or culling older birds.

Good luck,

Mrs K