I have a Broody RIR!!!!! Update pics pg3 & pg5

[needtohatch]

I have a Broody!

I was so sure none of my hens would turn broody since they are all hatchery stock RIR and (I think) Golden Comets. I have read so many post that say it will never happen (well maybe once in a blue moon) that I just gave up on them. I guess we must have had a blue moon

I noticed this one started acting a little wierd. She would go around all puffed up and clucking to herself, but since she was still laying I was not sure what to think. So I decied to leave a bunch of eggs in a nest box and see what she would do. Well she stoped laying eggs and started sitting on them!

I left her alone till a few days ago to make sure she was going to stay put and them moved her. I set up a watermellon crate for her and moved her and her eggs after dark. I worried that she would not like the move, but it has only made her sit tighter. When she was in the nest box she would get up a few times a day, but now I have to take her off the nest myself. I did cut a door in the side of the crate that I can lift and tie open so she can get in and out but she wont leave her eggs! I also put food and water right in the crate with her thinking she would at least go to the other side of the crate to eat/drink, but no she just stays on her eggs! I can't wait to see her with her babies! 8 days and counting down!

 

[b.hromada]

Don't feel bad, my crazy black sexlink has gone broody! Nutty girl, can't seem to break her of it either. I thought for sure that since this breed is a hybred, they wouldn't go broody, but no, she did. Mine also are from a hatchery, Ideal. Wonder what we can do to get them to stop?

 

[Judy]

To break a broody, put her in a cage or pen for 2-3 days with no nesting material and a wire bottom, and set the cage up on blocks or something so there is air flow to her underside. Give her food and water. Usually works, I have read.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I would LOVE it if one of my Reds went broody! You are so lucky!

 

[redroosta]

ha, happened to me too. got a broody RIR and hatched two wonderful baby chicks, they werent her eggs though. her brother is the only rooster we have and he shares a pen with RIR's and white leghorns. the eggs were white(laid by leghorns) and they were hybrid RIR/white leghorn. now one of the chicks Is full grown and broody on a nest. sitting on her own eggs, leghorn eggs, and RIR eggs. Her brother shares a pen with the RIR's and Leghorns so if the white eggs hatch they could be: leghorn/RIR OR Leghorn/Hybrid chicken. if the brown eggs hatch they could be: RIR/RIR or Hybrid chicken/RIR. IF the hybrid eggs hatch they could be: Hybrid chicken/hybrid chicken OR Leghorn/Hybrid chicken OR RIR/Hybrid chicken. Sorry if I messed up your thread, or if I confused you.

Just felt like sharing.

 

[needtohatch]

I hope I get a few more to brood for me, so much easier than the bator! I plan to collect & hatch her eggs if I can tell them apart from the others when she starts laying again.

 

[Debbienmousey]

Congratulations!

And IMO broodies coming from hatchery stock is not uncommon. We have a broody RIR (From McMurray) now also, this is her 2nd year and 2nd hatch.

I hope to have more of our McMurray hens go broody.

needtohatch - Actually I think it's more stressful lol(On me). At least until hatching comes. Then I'm pulling my hair out about the chicks hatching in the incubator that I can't help.

Congrats again and good luck with the little babies once they arrive

 

[mxpres]

I have a broody golden comet ,this is her 2nd day in a wire cage up on blocks,im going to keep her caged untill sunday and see how it works out,she was broody for 2 days before I caged her,I will post the results,I don,t have a rooster and wouldn,t want to let the gold comets have a brood anyway being hybrid birds,,

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:
thanks ddawn, I may have to try that on my girl!

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
That's cool, I've read that RIR's rarely brood, but that the ones that do, make excellent moms.

When I want eggs for hatching, from a particular hen, I take her off the roost at night, and put her in my nursery pen, (that one you saw with the dog house in it) or other secluded area. After she lays her egg, I let her out with the others, repeat the next night, and so on, until I have several eggs.

How are the green eggs coming along? I have a few in my bator right now, along with turkey and guinea eggs, and a few Dorkings. (not mine, shipped ones)

That's not a bad set-up you improvised for her, I could use a few of those, myself, sometimes. Pretty hen!