FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

I am just full of questions this evening.

I fear that I made a mistake with my first broody hen. We are 18 days in, and she is sitting on 3 eggs. She is still in the coop with the rest of the flock, but she is in a box. Now whenever I let her out, I have to let the other chickens out and shut them out of the run so that she can stretch her legs, dust bathe and relieve herself. If I let them, they will attack her, especially my rooster, who is one the sweetest most docile roosters I’ve ever seen. It’s like he’s possessed when he sees her. I’ve read that sometimes they don’t recognize a broody that’s been separated from the flock, so maybe I should have used a cage instead of a box Now I’m worried about re-introducing her and her chicks when they hatch. Should I maybe transfer them to a separate pen or cage so the others can see her but not attack her or the chicks? She is definitely not high in the pecking order, and I doubt her ability to defend herself or her chicks. She is a determined broody, but she doesn’t mind me poking around underneath her to check the eggs. I’ve heard that most hens will not tolerate that. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have a brooder for my broody's and let them brood in it and leave them with their chicks away from the flock. After awhile I will put the broody back usually at night onto a roost when the chicks have grown somewhat and get most of their adult feathering and then I put the chicks in a grow-out coop and pen. Sometimes I put the chicks in a big watermelon box I get from the grocery store with a heat lamp on them. If the grow-out coop is in use with older chicks and when I move the older chicks to another coop and pen then the chicks in the boxes go into the grow-out coop and pen. It's just the way I do it. Here are a few pictures that may give you some ideas. Good luck and have fun...



















 
I have a brooder for my broody's and let them brood in it and leave them with their chicks away from the flock. After awhile I will put the broody back usually at night onto a roost when the chicks have grown somewhat and get most of their adult feathering and then I put the chicks in a grow-out coop and pen. Sometimes I put the chicks in a big watermelon box I get from the grocery store with a heat lamp on them. If the grow-out coop is in use with older chicks and when I move the older chicks to another coop and pen then the chicks in the boxes go into the grow-out coop and pen. It's just the way I do it. Here are a few pictures that may give you some ideas. Good luck and have fun...



















Thanks for the tips and the great photos.
 
Hello everyone,

New member from Micanopy! Just got 16 chicks yesterday from Alachua County Feed and Supply. My husband and I want to add Buff Orpingtons, Barred rocks, and Cochins in the future.
 
Last edited:
I have a buff orpington hen and a barred rock hen they both lay a egg a day for my buff hen is 6-8 pounds and barred rock hen 5-7 pounds
 
Hello everyone,

New member from Micanopy! Just got 16 chicks yesterday from Alachua County Feed and Supply. My husband and I want to add Buff Orpingtons, Barred rocks, and Cochins in the future.
welcome-byc.gif
Good luck and have fun...
 
If anyone close to Ocala is interested, Midwest Feed & Farm is having a free poultry semiar. It's going to be April 7th from 6:30-8:30. Here's a copy of the email I got about it:

~ The Cluck Stops Here ~
Poultry Workhop​

The Cluck Stops Here !!!! And the Ocala store wants to help you get the most of that "cluck" with a spring poultry seminar on Tuesday, April 7th @ 6:30 PM.
Are you a seasoned veteran when it comes to raising poultry or do you consider yourself to be more of the new kid on the block. Whatever your experience level, mark your calendar for this fun, informative, interactive workshop. Dusty Dollar from Cargill will be discussing not only basic care but also nutrition, flock maintenance, egg laying, common ailments, getting your flock through the summer heat, and more. There will also be a Q & A session which I understand is often quite egg-citing.
All ages are welcome to attend this informative evening and there will be something for all ages. We'll also have door prizes. There will be a variety of chicks available for purchase as well as an assortment of supplies (feeders, waterers, medications, heat lamps, poultry net wiring, etc) and quality feeds. The following sales will be in effect only during this event:

  • $1.50 off 25# bags of Nutrena chicken feed
  • $3.00 off 50# bags of Nutrena chicken feed
RSVPs are not required but would be greatly appreciated. Please call 352-351-8008 ... Toni, Nicole, Donna, or Heather will be glad to get your name on the list. Last year we packed them in for a standing-room-only crowd, so don't be late.
Chicks have arrived at all of our stores. Give a call to the location nearest you and they’ll be glad to tell you what is currently available and what is expected to arrive.

 
I am near Tampa/Brandon, anyone nearby? I would love to find a local Australorp breeder for breeding stock, but I am having trouble finding anything in Central Florida. Hens for eggs would be great, but I don't want to have to order from a hatchery.

THANKS!
 
I am near Tampa/Brandon, anyone nearby? I would love to find a local Australorp breeder for breeding stock, but I am having trouble finding anything in Central Florida. Hens for eggs would be great, but I don't want to have to order from a hatchery.

THANKS!
I am in Spring Hill, Pasco County. I don't have the breed you are looking for but I do see them advertised occasionally on FaceBook pages for my area. On FB, I am a member of the Hernando County Farm Animals group, Chickens of Pasco group, and Chicken Swap of Florida group. You might join these groups and possibly find other groups closer to you. I see so many chicks, hatching eggs, pullets, roos, etc. advertised among these groups that surely, you might be able to find what you are looking for.

Welcom to BYC.
 
THAT! That is the problem.
lau.gif


@Bean789 : Just curious, how much are the silkies she's selling as chicks? That's the one thing our local hatchery doesn't sell, and I've always wanted a few just for fun. :)
Not sure of her pricing as her chicks are different ages. Please PM me your contact info and I will relay it to her.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom