Help with broody hens!!

[PrestonSloan08]

It's a silkie!! And I hear they tend to be broody!! So, I need to put golfballs in there until she becomes broody then I swap them out with eggs?

 

[Jferlisi]

Quote:
Sorry for the late response. LF means large fowl. You dont have to put golfballs under her. I dont. If she has been on the nest for a few days not she is broodie. You can stick fertile eggs under her whenever.

 

[PrestonSloan08]

So how many bantam eggs could I put under her?

 

[Jferlisi]

i would try 8 or so and see if they are staying warm, and if not i would take 1-2 out.

 

[PrestonSloan08]

Oh man I'm so excited to do this!!!! I wish she would hurry up and go broody!!

 

[Jferlisi]

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hahaha, how long has she been sitting?

 

[Speed]

Not to steal this thread but I have a barred rock that's broody. I can just let her sit on the eggs and hatch them? Does it have to be more than 1 egg? My nesting boxes are about 30" off the floor, should I make a small spot for her on the floor (ie: a cardboard box with a door cut out, or a cat carrier) that she can just walk in and out of? I too want to try to hatch out a few eggs but don't want to by an incubator.

 

[Jferlisi]

Quote:
No, she can sit on as little amount of eggs as you wish. I would make her a nice little spot on the floor somewhere and make sure her nesting material is deep so it will keep in the heat.

 

[Speed]

Quote:
No, she can sit on as little amount of eggs as you wish. I would make her a nice little spot on the floor somewhere and make sure her nesting material is deep so it will keep in the heat.

Thank you. I have a small critter cage kicking around I will probably use for her. I should be able to put her in it and she will feel at home. Should I put a towel over the top and sides to make it a little more private? I use hay in my nesting boxes and they all seem to like that so that will be the material of choice.

 

[Jferlisi]

Quote:
No, she can sit on as little amount of eggs as you wish. I would make her a nice little spot on the floor somewhere and make sure her nesting material is deep so it will keep in the heat.

Thank you. I have a small critter cage kicking around I will probably use for her. I should be able to put her in it and she will feel at home. Should I put a towel over the top and sides to make it a little more private? I use hay in my nesting boxes and they all seem to like that so that will be the material of choice.

No you dont need to put the towel over it, it doesn't matter either way. Just make sure that she has food and water and she can get up and move if she wants.