First Egg Countdown

[Happy Chooks]

I finally got my first eggs today! Two of them and they were in the nest box. My girls were born Dec 1 and I was beginning to think they were never going to lay. Decided they weren't getting enough light and turned my winter light back on. Yay!

Congrats!

 

[Junibutt]

Ok, I have a broody dilemma. One of my hens has gone broody and is occupying the favorite nest used by the rest. Although there are other nesting spots open, but they just seems to like this one better. So the day before yesterday only 3 of the remaining 4 laid, yesterday 2 and today none. That is so unusual especially for my Red Star who only takes a break once in 3 months and today she did not lay either. I moved the broody yesterday couple of times into another spot but she keeps on coming back there.

The only thing I can think of now is locking the broody temporarily till I can set her up with some eggs in a few days.

Junaid

 

[chicksurreal]

Ok, I have a broody dilemma. One of my hens has gone broody and is occupying the favorite nest used by the rest. Although there are other nesting spots open, but they just seems to like this one better. So the day before yesterday only 3 of the remaining 4 laid, yesterday 2 and today none. That is so unusual especially for my Red Star who only takes a break once in 3 months and today she did not lay either. I moved the broody yesterday couple of times into another spot but she keeps on coming back there.

The only thing I can think of now is locking the broody temporarily till I can set her up with some eggs in a few days.

Junaid

Is it possible that your other chickens are laying somewhere else? Do they free range? Some of my flock prefer to lay in other places, but will go to the nesting boxes if they can't free range. They all like to lay in one specific box for some reason, but they will go to other areas if they have to.

I've never had a broody hen, so I don't have experience there, but I've heard that they can be quite persistent!

 

[chickadee5002]

Ok, I have a broody dilemma. One of my hens has gone broody and is occupying the favorite nest used by the rest. Although there are other nesting spots open, but they just seems to like this one better. So the day before yesterday only 3 of the remaining 4 laid, yesterday 2 and today none. That is so unusual especially for my Red Star who only takes a break once in 3 months and today she did not lay either. I moved the broody yesterday couple of times into another spot but she keeps on coming back there. 

The only thing I can think of now is locking the broody temporarily till I can set her up with some eggs in a few days.

Junaid

I have a broody right now. She also was in the favorite nest box. I put her in a dog carrier with a latching front and put her on the floor because I didn't have eggs for her yet. I also put golf balls under her till I got the hatching eggs for her. She finally realized that the box on the floor was just as good as the nest box that they normally use. I have since built her a new brooding box that is bigger and she is loving it! I will have to go out and take a picture of her.

 

[Junibutt]

I have a broody right now. She also was in the favorite nest box. I put her in a dog carrier with a latching front and put her on the floor because I didn't have eggs for her yet. I also put golf balls under her till I got the hatching eggs for her. She finally realized that the box on the floor was just as good as the nest box that they normally use. I have since built her a new brooding box that is bigger and she is loving it! I will have to go out and take a picture of her.

Yeah thats what I will do, probably lock her up in a dog-crate inside the coop.

 

[chickadee5002]

Here is a pic of her and her new brooding box. I made it out of an old tv stand

 

[Happy Chooks]

Congrats on the broody. I have 2 right now on eggs. First one hatches hers on Wed.

 

[Junibutt]

Congrats on the broody. I have 2 right now on eggs. First one hatches hers on Wed.

X2

@Happy Chooks I finally have a good broody hen (an Australorp), she took about a month and a half of sounding broody to finally staying in the nest. But she has been at it for a week now.

The only issue I have is that if I take her out for food etc.she takes about 45 minutes or so to realize she has to go back. Will that be a problem?

I have ordered some Blue Laced Barnevelder eggs along with some Legbar eggs. Do you have any experience with the Blue Laced Barnevelders? Can you sex them as day old chicks?

Also Koko is of decent size and tried some large store eggs and she was able to cover 18. Whats a safe number to put under her without overburdening her or risking a lower hatch rate. I was thinking maybe 12-14?

BTW she pecked my son for the first time ever when he tried to get eggs from her, so seems like she will be a good mama.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Let her eat when she wants to, no need to take her out of the nest. 45 minutes will not be a problem to the eggs. You will likely not see her eat/drink as it is their tendency to sneak it to protect the eggs.

Blue Barnevelders - yes, I have some. No, they cannot be sexed as day olds. Blue will not show up until they feather in their wings. By 4 weeks you should be able to tell the sex.

I don't like to give my hens more than 12. It's a lot for them to sit on and they have to have room for their legs too. The eggs just end up getting broken. My huge Barred Rock I gave 12 eggs, and 3 got broken in the nest. She has 9 left to hatch this week.

 

[Junibutt]

Let her eat when she wants to, no need to take her out of the nest. 45 minutes will not be a problem to the eggs. You will likely not see her eat/drink as it is their tendency to sneak it to protect the eggs.

Blue Barnevelders - yes, I have some. No, they cannot be sexed as day olds. Blue will not show up until they feather in their wings. By 4 weeks you should be able to tell the sex.

I don't like to give my hens more than 12. It's a lot for them to sit on and they have to have room for their legs too. The eggs just end up getting broken. My huge Barred Rock I gave 12 eggs, and 3 got broken in the nest. She has 9 left to hatch this week.

TY