Hatching with 2 broodies

[16 paws]

Hi Liz,
I wanted to keep her in her same spot but this morning it was like a circus in there.

She had two other hens sitting on her, I kept taking them out but they would go right back. I think they are trying to help her or they want to try and be co-broodies. The problem is with all the other eggs getting mixed in and some of the eggs that are developing getting over on the other side and left out in the cold.
So I decided to move her this morning and set her up in a spot the others could not get to...made her a nice cozy nest, put the eggs in there and so far she is just pacing back and forth trying to get out.

Darn these stubborn broodies!!!!
Wonder what to do now????

TGG,
The eggs were about 5 days, but before I read the posts I took them out, now it is too late to put them back in. I just figured maybe they werent fertile so she may of taken them out and wanted to get some fertile ones in their place.
Marie

 

[tommysgirl]

Hi Liz,
I wanted to keep her in her same spot but this morning it was like a circus in there.

She had two other hens sitting on her, I kept taking them out but they would go right back. I think they are trying to help her or they want to try and be co-broodies. The problem is with all the other eggs getting mixed in and some of the eggs that are developing getting over on the other side and left out in the cold.
So I decided to move her this morning and set her up in a spot the others could not get to...made her a nice cozy nest, put the eggs in there and so far she is just pacing back and forth trying to get out.

Darn these stubborn broodies!!!!
Wonder what to do now????

Perfect...just make sure she has food and water and let her do her thing. It might not have harmed the embryos to have cooled off. The only thing to do is wait

 

[lizgarf]

16P, I don't really know what to suggest. It seems that every broody and every flock and coop are all different. Wherever you put her, she's going to still want access to a space to take her dust bathing breaks and stuff. She may not tolerate being moved, some don't and lose their broodniess. You could try putting a divider in the large nest box you have, to make it harder to switch eggs around, but there's still a chance the others will get in her nest box with her. That's not the end of the world, necessarily, but it ups the risk that some eggs will get broken.

I just had the biggest scare! I accidentally left the dog door open and Reggie ran into the back and chased the flock. She's never hurt them before, and I wasn't too worried about it at first, but Lucy got really freaked out and I couldn't find any sign of her except some feathers for a really long time, I was worried she was in shock, or maybe flew too far away from the yard to make her way back, but she finally did make it back to the coop, after about 40 minutes of looking for her.

I'm really relieved she's ok and really mad at my dog! But, mostly relieved - it could have been worse!

 

[chickencrazy999]

I have a total crush on all things Mottled

This is a Mottled D'Uccle..
This is a Mottled Java which I also crave and hope to hatch this year. My first proven broody gets MJ eggs....

here is something else amazing a blue mottled cochin

And because a crested mottled bird is one of the best things God ever designed...

I give you the Mottled Houdan.

One day I hope to have all of the above as well as splash and penciled.

I will post a pic of the parent birds of my bantam hatch. I am hoping to end up with D'Uccles that are silky or carry the silkie gene.

re. feedstore/breeder I am glad you asked adn I hope no one here is offended by what I say but here goes.

Feedstore chicks are hatchery chicks. If you ask at your feedstore they should be able to tell you what hatchery they use. I ordered chicks in 2012 and 2013 but then I saw a couple of videos on youtube including this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ--faib7to that show what happens at hatcheries and it made me sick to my stomach. I got backyard chickens to remove myself from the inhumane way eggs are raised but the big hatcheries are scarcely better. In addition there is not nearly as much quality control in hatchery birds. They are breeding for quantity and frequently cross leghorns or other production breeds into their lines to improve egg production. The quality local breeders are breeding for quality. So I am always going to encourage people to go with local breeders. You are in luck because Texas is FULL of them. I know big state and all that but I imagine that you have many good breeders of lovely birds within driving distance.

I even have a recommendation...not sure how close you are to OK but there are two breeders there of Silver Penciled Wyandottes that may have eggs or chicks or pullets available....Here is a pic of that breed

which I also plan to hatch again. Hey yes I have to agree I only have one black mottled pekin bantam which is my profile pic

 

[tommysgirl]

I just had the biggest scare! I accidentally left the dog door open and Reggie ran into the back and chased the flock. She's never hurt them before, and I wasn't too worried about it at first, but Lucy got really freaked out and I couldn't find any sign of her except some feathers for a really long time, I was worried she was in shock, or maybe flew too far away from the yard to make her way back, but she finally did make it back to the coop, after about 40 minutes of looking for her.

I'm really relieved she's ok and really mad at my dog! But, mostly relieved - it could have been worse!

So glad it all worked out and that Lucy is a smart one who was just hiding out until the coast was clear. My favorite girl is my chocolate rock, Godiva. She wandered off the other day and I didn't see her for about an hour. It makes you worry for sure..

Your avartar is darling. I don't know anything about pekin bantams but Alice looks like a keeper and now...I may have to have one.

 

[16 paws]

16P, I don't really know what to suggest. It seems that every broody and every flock and coop are all different. Wherever you put her, she's going to still want access to a space to take her dust bathing breaks and stuff. She may not tolerate being moved, some don't and lose their broodniess. You could try putting a divider in the large nest box you have, to make it harder to switch eggs around, but there's still a chance the others will get in her nest box with her. That's not the end of the world, necessarily, but it ups the risk that some eggs will get broken.

I just had the biggest scare! I accidentally left the dog door open and Reggie ran into the back and chased the flock. She's never hurt them before, and I wasn't too worried about it at first, but Lucy got really freaked out and I couldn't find any sign of her except some feathers for a really long time, I was worried she was in shock, or maybe flew too far away from the yard to make her way back, but she finally did make it back to the coop, after about 40 minutes of looking for her.

I'm really relieved she's ok and really mad at my dog! But, mostly relieved - it could have been worse!

Thanks Liz,
I really appreciate all the input...
Well, she stayed off the eggs all day yesterday after I moved her. She wasn't having any of it even thou her new spot had it all!
Oh well, she probably knows best. So I let her out of her broody pen and she went right back to her old spot in the nest box. So much for trying to help.
Had to start over on the eggs and decided to give her about 10 new eggs to sit on. I guess that means that today would be day 1. Anyone else just starting????

So I figured a way to enclose the whole nest box in and give her some space below to stretch her legs and relieve herself. I peeked in this morning and the other hens are trying to get in but no can do. The first time she went broody I let her stay in the nest box things went south pretty fast. I don't really know what happened but there were some real shenanigans going on in there. None of the eggs hatched that I bought from the feed store,(no roo then) and some of the eggs got cracked and some actually ended up on the lawn outside the coop!To this day I cant imagine one of these chickens carrying the eggs thru the coop door and placing them on the lawn. All I know is that it had to be a chicken because we don't have predators in the coop. I read that they can carry and roll them. Like I said before, it is like a circus in there when one goes broody.

While I was working on her nest area I heard a loud noise and all the chickens sounded the alarm call. What ever got my little mottled cochin banty came back to try and score again. No luck, but today I want to make that run even more secure, fort Knox style. These predators (bobcat I think) are really determined.

I am so glad that the thing with your Reggie turned out alright, it is really hard when someone you love hurts another you love. So glad that didn't happen and you found Lucy safe and sound. She was most likely scared for a while and maybe hid. Smart girl...That's a good thing.
Thanks again team broody for all your love and support, this is the best thread on BYC!

I shall be checking in often with updates because there is never a dull moment here on this crazy chicken ranch!
Marie

 

[chicky68]

I have a broody who is sitting on her eggs right now why is she not getting up to eat or drink

 

[16 paws]

I have a broody who is sitting on her eggs right now why is she not getting up to eat or drink

Hi Chicky68,
That is normal for a broody mama. Trust her, she will get up about once a day to eat and drink. Just make sure she has access to everything and she will know what to do. I just let my hen alone but some people pull them off the nest to eat and drink. I believe in just letting her do what comes naturally but I do give her treats in the nest when I give the others something to keep up her strength.
Good luck and welcome to team broody!

 

[chicky68]

Thanks! I cant wait. How do I post pics!

 

[tommysgirl]

I guess that means that today would be day 1. Anyone else just starting????

So I figured a way to enclose the whole nest box in and give her some space below to stretch her legs and relieve herself. I peeked in this morning and the other hens are trying to get in but no can do. The first time she went broody I let her stay in the nest box things went south pretty fast. I don't really know what happened but there were some real shenanigans going on in there. None of the eggs hatched that I bought from the feed store,(no roo then) and some of the eggs got cracked and some actually ended up on the lawn outside the coop!To this day I cant imagine one of these chickens carrying the eggs thru the coop door and placing them on the lawn. All I know is that it had to be a chicken because we don't have predators in the coop. I read that they can carry and roll them. Like I said before, it is like a circus in there when one goes broody.


I shall be checking in often with updates because there is never a dull moment here on this crazy chicken ranch!
Marie

Hey Marie I will giving my two broody girls their eggs on Saturday and Sunday so you will be a day or two ahead of me. My first broody ever was last summer and I tried moving her off the nest and giving her golf balls before I gave her real eggs. For 3 days she was a possessed thing and kept heading back to her original nest in the coop so I gave in and let her stay. She has successfully raised two clutches in there. It sounds like you have secured your girl's nesting area so it should be all drama free from here on in.

I had a hard time believing that they could pick eggs up and carry them too but you are right it is a circus when the broodies come to town.

I have a broody who is sitting on her eggs right now why is she not getting up to eat or drink

She probably is but she is being quick about it and you don't see her. My two current broodies are stealthy as can be about when they get off the nest but I assume they are.

Welcome to the thread this is THE place for support and hand holding and shared cheering!