I have a Broody Hen!

[bloom chicks]

I am so excited.

I am new to this whole chicken thing.

How many eggs should I put under her? She is a red rock. What time of day is the best time to put the eggs under her? Thank you so much for any and all info you can share!

 

[henney penny]

First off I didn`know what a red rock was so I did a search on here.What breed will the father of the chicks be?It looks to be a big breed of bird so she can cover many eggs.I would give her between 8 and 12.

 

[bloom chicks]

I have 2 roosters. BO and a BR. Thank you so much. I hope that she will sit on them all.

 

[Endur50]

My first time with a broody hen I put too many under her. She wasn't able to cover all of them properly. And then if they all hatch, it is a lot of responsibility for a first time mom. I'd go with no more than 8, so she doesn't get overwhelmed and is able to concentrate on each of her babies.

 

[bloom chicks]

I put 12 under her should I remove some?

 

[Faith Hope]

Can you see any of the 12 eggs, or is she able to fully cover them all?

If she is covering all of them, I would let her keep them.

 

[unkadan]

I found this link today reading on another "broody" tread here,,,excellent info

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

good luck!

 

[bloom chicks]

Thank you all very much. This is my 1st broody hen and I want to make sure that she is a happy hen.

 

[bloom chicks]

I just checked on her and she has all the eggs covered. So.......... here is hoping she is a good mamma!

 

[Peep lePleaser]

I would think she would be fine with 12 eggs. Years ago, I had a silkie hen disappear for awhile...turned out to be about 23 days. I thought she had been eaten by a coyote or other predator. Next time I saw her, she had 21 babies behind her! She obviously had a hidden nest with 21 eggs, and that little booger sat every one herself! I would never have risked letting her sit that many had I known. Of course, Ive always know that bantams, especially silkies, are very good sitters/mommas, but I sure didnt expect THAT!

I dont know if other breeds do this, as Ive never really watched others, but a silkie bantam, actually all bantams, will rotate the eggs every so often to keep each at an acceptable temperature.

Good luck to you and to her!