How long will my hen be broody?

[beameuplord]

I recently adopted some mail order chicks for my silkie since her eggs did not hatch. She is a great little mom, but I wonder how long she will brood those chicks and lay again. I don't care about getting eggs, I am just curious. I wonder if I will buying chicks every six months to satisfy her broodiness. I love them but I have to keep a close eye on them when they are out of the coop because I live in the woods. Sunday two young raccoons came strolling down through the woods and I stayed outside to chicken sit all evening.
I let them out every morning, but if I leave Ihave to run them down to put them back in the coop. Very tiring to chase four little chicks a couple times a day.

TJ

 

[birdlover]

Ha! Been there, done that!! LOL My experience has been she will brood them for at least 6 weeks, hopefully longer. Then she will start laying again and, if she's like my little silkie, she'll become broody again about 3 - 4 weeks after she starts laying.

I used to worry about her having chicks at the end of 21 days but that got to be rediculous so I just let her sit on air and she gets up and off the nest after about 3 weeks and acts like nothing ever happened. I don't think chickens are cognizant enough to feel disappointed if they don't have some babies at the end of the setting period. Enjoy those babies!

Ellen

 

[beameuplord]

Thank you ellen, I was wondering if I should get her chicks every time she turns broody. I get emotionally involved with my animals since I don't have kids and Iworry about their emotional well being. Ha !

I could end up with a hundrerd chickens within a year, huh? I guess I'll just let her set on air too after this go round.

thanks a lot, TJ