Going broody to prepare Christmas gift?

[Hennyfromdblock]

My little Black australorp has gone broody, her and the other gals have faked being broody, not sure if it’s a thing but they would lay their egg, all in the same spot, and sit on them for a couple minutes then just take off like they weren’t just sitting on future cotton balls. This time today I noticed she wasn’t out foraging and I found her sitting on the clutch they all laid that day. Didn’t think nothing of it , fast forward to now (5 hours later) she’s still sitting on them! The egg total are one of each (6 hens, 2 being a bigger breed than her) and usually when I reach in to grab the eggs for the day she’ll go bazerk and take off. This time she pecked at me! I got all emotional like dang ok sorry don’t gotta be mean.

But yes my question is, is it safe for her to go broody and hatch some bebes this time of year? If she does, this will be her second hatch, First one was in may. She does not like the nesting boxes, she prefers to sit in a little corner, nothing is above her, no one can poop on her. I did mark the eggs incase I do decide on letting her hatch and if the others lay if she gets up for whatever reason and comes back. The coop is winterized already, but here in Texas the temps can be crazy random. Last year’s winter frost was horrible, luckily I didn’t have them yet. Should I just let her do her thing and move her to the shed or indoors once they hatch? Is it dangerous for them to go broody in the winter since they loose weight in the process? Do I break her? I have tended to her and her chicks in her first hatch but I am aware that winter is different. I would love to hear all y’all’s opinions on this. Thank y’all!


Here’s little Dolores and her first hatch

 

[Let There Be Light]

I don't have a lot of experience with broody hens, but one of our hens just hatched chicks last month. I also live in Texas and I have a heat lamp for them at night.
But I would think that your chicks would be fine in your shed or house.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

If the hen in the pic is the one you are referring to that is not a black australorp.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

She will hatch them and raise them given the chance.

I've had a goofy broody this time of year. I usually keep 3"-4" mashed down straw in the nest boxes. When she went to ground after hatching I waited for her to settle in her spot, then gave a flake of hay for her to wallow a hole in.

Temps were single digit lows and mid 30's high before chicks were feathered out.

Never missed a beat. Chicks would run out and do their thing for 4-5 minutes, then dive back under momma for 5.

 

[Hennyfromdblock]

I don't have a lot of experience with broody hens, but one of our hens just hatched chicks last month. I also live in Texas and I have a heat lamp for them at night.
But I would think that your chicks would be fine in your shed or house.

Thank you, I might Just end up bringing them in, I worry a lot ,and anyway waking up to baby chicks doesn’t seem like a bad idea either

 

[Hennyfromdblock]

If the hen in the pic is the one you are referring to that is not a black australorp.

Please let me know what she is or think she is! Here’s a little back story, Her momma was (maybe not one after all) a black australorp, , and her dad was a this tiny black shiny feathered kikiriki (bantam rooster), don’t know much about breeds. Sorry, I went based of what other chick owners have said. Also she is way smaller in comparison to her pullet, her legs are really short and Apple (pullet) doesn’t have her short legs. In the mirror picture she’s standing, that’s how short her legs are. This picture may be no help but her pullets body is bigger than hers, Dolores is just tiny. Please enlighten me

 

[Hennyfromdblock]

She will hatch them and raise them given the chance.

I've had a goofy broody this time of year. I usually keep 3"-4" mashed down straw in the nest boxes. When she went to ground after hatching I waited for her to settle in her spot, then gave a flake of hay for her to wallow a hole in.

Temps were single digit lows and mid 30's high before chicks were feathered out.

Never missed a beat. Chicks would run out and do their thing for 4-5 minutes, then dive back under momma for 5.

Glad to hear it was a success! Hopefully all goes well, I have a playhouse converted coop that they like to lay eggs in and at night they go to their original wooden coop. She favors the playhouse, my guess is the others only go in once to lay and that’s it. I do wanna move her to the wooden coop cause I’m afraid she’ll just freeze all by herself or something. My husband says to just leave her since she seems fine to just add feed and water. There’s a deep litter in it but not sure if it’s enough warmth. Not sure what’ll be best.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Deep litter will retain warmth.

I personally don't bring food and water close to broody birds. The need to get off the eggs to defecate.

Wife was nice one time and fed/watered her on the nest. She let loose a huge broody poo right next to the clutch.

Nothing smells as bad as broody poo.

 

[Hennyfromdblock]

Deep litter will retain warmth.

I personally don't bring food and water close to broody birds. The need to get off the eggs to defecate.

Wife was nice one time and fed/watered her on the nest. She let loose a huge broody poo right next to the clutch.

Nothing smells as bad as broody poo.

Oooo I don’t even wanna imagine Thank you for your feedback, highly appreciate it!

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

I don't know what she is, but for comparison here is a black australop (pic down below) notice the size difference (hens are about 8 lbs) and the different earlobe color.