Hatching eggs with a broody hen

[fowlafoot]

But if I don't admit it then it's not really a problem right?

Brown Red game hen with her spangled Thai foster babies

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

'Must....hatch.....


.....EGGS!!!!!'

Here are her babies I removed later on.

Sadly, I didn't want to keep her away from her flock any more than needed, so she was de-broodied later that day while the babies slept in the brooder. Sounds harsh, but it didn't really work out that well. 9 months later and she's broody on and off. Whatever makes her happy, I guess...

I don't have a problem, but I wish it did. If I had my way, I'd have a whole flock of Polish chickens!

 

[FarmerCarl]

What's the best way to get a broody hen?

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Hey FarmerCarl what do you mean?...to make the hen broody? or the breed of bird ?

 

[FarmerCarl]

Just wondering if I can buy a broody hen, or if I should get a chick and raise her hoping she will become broody.

Do people sell broody hens?

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Well, if you want to get one broody, you just have to wait. Doesn't always work that way, though. Most people use Silkies but my 2 year old Silkie hasn't gone broody once! It's almost like the luck of the draw. Get a few hens of a 'broody breed' and hope for the best. Some start getting hatching fever just days after beginning to lay, some it takes years.

Breeds vary. I'm sure you can google 'broody breeds of chickens' and come up with some breed names. Like I said, it depends on the bird, not the entire breed whether or not brooding is in the instructions.

Best of luck!

 

[FarmerCarl]

I was thinking about getting some Silver Laced Wyandottes hoping to get broody hens from them. Do they go broody a lot? Or should I stick with a Silkie? Or gamebird?

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Late post!

Hmm...you can try the 'chicks and chickens-buy sell trade' secton of the forum. I've never done that, though. Hmm...look into it. It's the best way to know for sure if you have a Mama-bird. It's been done before, or at least I've heard of people doing it.

 

[FarmerCarl]

Quote:
PolishPrincess: we must've been typing at the same time.

I have a friend whose son raises chickens to show. I'm going to call her and see if he ever gets any broodies and if they would sell me one.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Quote:
I'm just going to quote you from now on!

Much easier!

You could start a new thread asking for the broodiest breed. Although I'm sure your going to get Silkies as a commom answer. I also have a Wyandotte, and even though she's not been broody, don't take it from me as I'm very biased. I only have one. Games I've heard of being feircely broody mothers. You're always going to have a 50:50 chance with a bird. They could go either way.