I had 3 broodies this summer. None had been broody before, and all were at the same time. I hatched chicks in the incubator (trying to time it for the nieces to watch, hatched early) and tucked babies under the broodies. The chicks shared the mothers (who didn't share nests), and 1 by 1 the mothers let the chicks go. The one who mother's the longest was my 4 year old white sapphire (basically a splash LEGHORN).....
Any hen CAN go broody. Not every hen CHOOSES to go broody. Just because a breed "isn't likely" to go broody doesn't mean a hen of that breed WON'T. PITA, my white sapphire, went broody. I lost her sister early this past spring to reproduction issues and she NEVER showed any interest in brooding or in chicks. PITA earned her name from her incessant pestering of broodies in the past. I'm guessing she finally told the rest she'd do it herself.
I’m thinking Marty was annoyed with her daughter and granddaughter not pay as close attention to the chicks as she felt they should have. Of course at 8 weeks old they are about as big as she is!
And laughed this morning to see all the Noirans around her while she broody talked to them and tidbitted bits of food. She really has mellowed as she has aged. But I am super glad to see them all snuggled up with Marty at night, she will need their extra warmth later this week when temps plummet.
Meanwhile - Misty is in bad broody jail. She has been fighting with everyone; and Raven waits for her now when she comes off the nest and the two of them have epic brawls. I cannot risk poor old Raven getting injured. Or Misty.
I tried to put her with Mr P’s gang but she and her sister Whiskers got into it - that Misty is a terror!
So I locked her away in Hen House A. The girls will just have to lay eggs in Hen House B. And hopefully being away from her nest will snap Misty out of being broody.
She’s also coughing so I don’t want her stressed fighting.
Sick update:
I now have three definitely coughing and wheezing (Sue, Whiskers and Misty); also suspect Daisy of not feeling well. Thankfully they are all eating drinking and toodling around.
I have the Tylosin water for them all; I’ll assess them all this afternoon when I get home. But Sue and Whiskers will also stay on the sulphatrim. I may put Misty on this as well, being broody I am hoping she drinks the Tylosin water I put out for her. But to be sure I will also dose her orally.
Other than that worry with all of them, they are eating and toodling around. I guess that’s all one can hope for at times.
Mugs Monday
Betty - she’s putting on weight and needs a diet.
Misty showing her battle wounds
Mr P with is rather rakishly handsome topknot.
