I didn't know RIR were so broody???

[sred98]

My just-started laying RIR has decided after laying 2 eggs, that she wants to raise babies!

She has been hoarding everyone else's eggs, and I just found her stash!

I moved her into a dog kennel with a few of the other eggs I gathered this morning, so she has a total of 8 eggs under her. She was a little upset by the move, but she was in my front flower bed, and my puppy has developed a taste for raw chicken eggs.

I know the 2 I put under her today were fertile, and I've seen my BR roo trying to mate her, so it is possible they may all be! How long will she be laying eggs to hatch? Should I count about 21 days from today for a general idea of hatch time? I know she laid an egg in our round pen 2 days ago! Like I said, she is very new, so she's still laying eggs everywhere. That's why I am so surprised that she's broody.

Are RIR particularly broody breeds? She is just a hatchery RIR.

My Rudy is broody! YAY!

Shelly

 

[RockyPhoenix]

your RIR will continue to lay eggs until she thinks she has enough for a clutch (if you dont take them away) then she will sit on them for 3 weeks until they hatch......

yes the heavier breeds tend to go broody quite often and the bantams and more flighty breeds not so much

hope this helps

 

[nicalandia]

they tend not to to sit, BUT some don´t think that way...

but I have never seen a leghorn broody...they most all agree...

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Lucky, lucky you!

I kept RIRs for many years and never had one go broody. I had to incubate all the new stock. PITA. Enjoy your girl! Hope she sticks to it for you.

Rusty

 

[sred98]

Well, I think the move was too traumatic for her, and she has quit setting.

I was hoping to get some babies!

I am so disappointed.

Shelly

 

[catfish/okie]

Maybe she will try again. I have a friend that has a buttercup that hatched 6 babies a couple of weeks ago. Something got one of them. Buttercups are classified as non setters but she was raised with some domineques and a buff orpington.Maybe she does not know shes a buttercup. Ive even heard of white leghorns yhat would set. Over the years they have bred the sitting tendancy out of RIRs but occasionally there will be one that will set. I bet if you can get some from Sand Hill Preservation Center they will set more cause these are supposed to be old time RIRs.

 

[Aj1911]

one of my RIR's just hatched 6 keets

she was setting since july 1st and after trying to break her for a week i gave in and let her hatch them

she is a very good mom so far

 

[rufus]

I think broodiness has been pretty well bred out of the Rhode Island Red. Save the eggs and use another chicken to do the job.

Good Luck,

Rufus

 

[ChicknJ]

I thought the "broodiness" was pretty much nred out of the commercial strains of RIR's but I have had 3 hatchery RIR's brood succesfully this year, and they are truly some mother hens, these girls blow up to 3 times their size if you come near them when sitting eggs or have hatchlings. Seriously good mommies