I really want some chicks, HELP ME!!!

[Blooie]

Can I make a suggestion? How about a pretend broody hen? I do it all the time...so do lots of others. I know it's a long article, but believe me, this works so well to raise chicks! Just feed and water them when you feed and water the others. Hens just don't go broody when we want them too, doggone it. So with a little time, a heating pad, and the coop you probably already have (since you have had chickens for 2 years) try this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors

 

[casportpony]

 


Yeah, darn those animals for not taking care of themselves better.

I don't really think chickens are for you...

Why are you saying this when it is just over trying to get a hen broody that is the only thing I am having trouble with! 

Perhaps you should research breeds that are broody? Something like a Silkie or a Cochin Bamtam might be a better choice?

 

[cavemanrich]

Perhaps you should research breeds that are broody? Something like a Silkie or a Cochin Bamtam might be a better choice?

Many peeps use sikies, and cochins as their broody machines

.

Expecting unknown chickens to go broody is like trying to reinvent the wheel.

 

[casportpony]

Quote:

Perhaps you should research breeds that are broody? Something like a Silkie or a Cochin Bamtam might be a better choice?

Many peeps use sikies, and cochins as their broody machines

.

Expecting unknown chickens to go broody is like trying to reinvent the wheel.

I agree....

The op has these:

my breeds are:
RIR - 2 years old
2 jersey giants - 11 months old
2 black sex links - 11 months old
2 black copper merans - 11 months old
2 white leghorns - 6 months old
1 buff opting - 6 months old
1 buckeye - 6 months old
2 golden sex links - 6 months old

how they are kept:
they live in a big yard outside where some sun can get in, lots of water and food, and 6 nesting boxes, and a coop big enough for many generations of chickens.

I've had all of those breeds, except for the buckeye, and none of them ever went broody,

but I have had Cochin Bantams, and they always go broody.

Perhaps the parent of the minor could help compose a letter or email to Legg's Peafowl Farm and ask them about the broody chicken hens they use to incubate their peafowl eggs?

Quote from Legg's: Source: http://www.leggspeafowl.com/incubation---hatching-peafowl-eggs.html

 

[starrmar006]

Perhaps you should research breeds that are broody? Something like a Silkie or a Cochin Bamtam might be a better choice?

I have a buff orptingtion

 

[starrmar006]

I agree....

The op has these:
I've had all of those breeds, except for the buckeye, and none of them ever went broody,

but I have had Cochin Bantams, and they always go broody.

Perhaps the parent of the minor could help compose a letter or email to Legg's Peafowl Farm and ask them about the broody chicken hens they use to incubate their peafowl eggs?

Source: http://www.leggspeafowl.com/incubation---hatching-peafowl-eggs.html

I have one to add I just recently got a turkey for my b-day

 

[starrmar006]

What a crazy thread.
Things went south for you when you started mentioning all the negatives about raising chicks when your thread was about wanting chicks so badly.
You were really laying it on thick about how horrible chick raising was. People here are pretty passionate about chickens and when they hear someone wanting chicks but complaining about everything that goes into having them of course feathers are going to get ruffled.
Im sure you can understand that.
If you would of mentioned you wanted chicks but that you only wanted a broody to raise them because it was a lot of work raising chicks and using a broody would be more ideal for your situation you might of got nicer reponses.
I got that that was what your thinking was but i think some got a bit defensive for the chicks sake and once you get on a path its hard sometimes to get off it.

On to your question...
I think it ALL depends on the hen. Some will never go broody. Some only when they decide the time is right, others can be coaxed into it and some will find any excuse to.
Most bantams seem to be really good at wanting to be mothers. Ive got silkies and all it takes for them to go broody is if an egg or two is in the box for a day.
Thats my only suggestion is to leave some eggs in the nest box and see what happens. Its best to leave 8 or more for me. All in all our hens seem to get more anxious about setting when they see enough eggs to make a nice clutch.

Thankyou for the good answer

 

[starrmar006]

The reason why I want chicks is because it is boring over here (with no other kids to play with). And when ever we go over to the feed store we see the chicks and I REALLY WANT THEM!!!!! My mom said we can only have chicks when I get a hen broody.

I have another question...... When a chicken is broody can she take care of ducklings? Thank you all for this interesting thread! I wouldn't have learned about other people and the internet!

 

[bobbi-j]

The reason why I want chicks is because it is boring over here (with no other kids to play with). And when ever we go over to the feed store we see the chicks and I REALLY WANT THEM!!!!! My mom said we can only have chicks when I get a hen broody.

I have another question...... When a chicken is broody can she take care of ducklings? Thank you all for this interesting thread! I wouldn't have learned about other people and the internet!

I have heard of broody hens raising ducklings. But I don't think I'd mix chicks and ducklings. If you get chicks from the feed store you need to get the youngest ones possible. Ideally less than a week old. Any older and they may not bond with the hen. Also, I don't think it will work to get them the minute you think she's broody. I think it's better to let her set for awhile so she thinks she's incubated whatever babies show up under her.

 

[casportpony]

The reason why I want chicks is because it is boring over here (with no other kids to play with). And when ever we go over to the feed store we see the chicks and I REALLY WANT THEM!!!!! My mom said we can only have chicks when I get a hen broody.

I have another question...... When a chicken is broody can she take care of ducklings? Thank you all for this interesting thread! I wouldn't have learned about other people and the internet!

Depends on the hen. This hen took care of anything I gave her: