Illinois...

[Junibutt]

Been away for a few weeks again and I see some of you lost your dear birds. So sorry to hear that. I think the warmer weather may have something to do with it as well.

Meanwhile, I have been getting 5-6 eggs a day thanks to the Legbar that hatched in July and surprisingly enough couple of Orpingtons from the same hatch have started laying as well.

On the other hand, I have 3 broodies and 1 that has been flirting with broodiness. Don't know what to do with this broody fever.

One of the broodies actually went broody in late October and stayed broody till end of Dec, laid eggs for less than 2 weeks and has been broody again for more than 2 weeks now. She has lost a lot of weight. Any suggestions what to do with her?

The other 2 are sharing the same nest but one is higher on the pecking order, so she steals all the eggs, the other one just gives her company.

I am thinking of turning off the artificial light and giving them some rest for a month, maybe that will fix the excessive broodiness as well.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Been away for a few weeks again and I see some of you lost your dear birds. So sorry to hear that. I think the warmer weather may have something to do with it as well.

Meanwhile, I have been getting 5-6 eggs a day thanks to the Legbar that hatched in July and surprisingly enough couple of Orpingtons from the same hatch have started laying as well.

On the other hand, I have 3 broodies and 1 that has been flirting with broodiness. Don't know what to do with this broody fever.

One of the broodies actually went broody in late October and stayed broody till end of Dec, laid eggs for less than 2 weeks and has been broody again for more than 2 weeks now. She has lost a lot of weight. Any suggestions what to do with her?

The other 2 are sharing the same nest but one is higher on the pecking order, so she steals all the eggs, the other one just gives her company.

I am thinking of turning off the artificial light and giving them some rest for a month, maybe that will fix the excessive broodiness as well.

Welcome back! I don't think the lights will make a difference in the broodiness. I have been kicking 3 off nests for the last 2 weeks also and I don't use lights. I think its the warmer weather, they think it is spring time along with my magnolia bush that is all full of buds. The boys have been much more vocal and active with the girls and the egg production has gone up over here also. I think they are just confused by the weather. And for your broody that lost a lot of weight, I would keep kicking her out of the nest everyday, and if that doesn't work, put her in a wire cage off the ground so she can cool down. Just food and water for her, no bedding. I have heard it works.

Or else you could give her some eggs to hatch!

 

[Junibutt]

Welcome back! I don't think the lights will make a difference in the broodiness. I have been kicking 3 off nests for the last 2 weeks also and I don't use lights. I think its the warmer weather, they think it is spring time along with my magnolia bush that is all full of buds. The boys have been much more vocal and active with the girls and the egg production has gone up over here also. I think they are just confused by the weather. And for your broody that lost a lot of weight, I would keep kicking her out of the nest everyday, and if that doesn't work, put her in a wire cage off the ground so she can cool down. Just food and water for her, no bedding. I have heard it works.

Or else you could give her some eggs to hatch!

I like the last part, but no fertile eggs here. Will need to borrow one of the roosters from Dena for a month.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I like the last part, but no fertile eggs here. Will need to borrow one of the roosters from Dena for a month.

I didn't know you got rid of all your boys. Well, I have been thinking the same thing, after dealing with all these boys here. I can't process them and it is too hard to find homes for them around here.

 

[jerryse]

Been away for a few weeks again and I see some of you lost your dear birds. So sorry to hear that. I think the warmer weather may have something to do with it as well.

Meanwhile, I have been getting 5-6 eggs a day thanks to the Legbar that hatched in July and surprisingly enough couple of Orpingtons from the same hatch have started laying as well.

On the other hand, I have 3 broodies and 1 that has been flirting with broodiness. Don't know what to do with this broody fever.

One of the broodies actually went broody in late October and stayed broody till end of Dec, laid eggs for less than 2 weeks and has been broody again for more than 2 weeks now. She has lost a lot of weight. Any suggestions what to do with her?

The other 2 are sharing the same nest but one is higher on the pecking order, so she steals all the eggs, the other one just gives her company.

I am thinking of turning off the artificial light and giving them some rest for a month, maybe that will fix the excessive broodiness as well.

Put her in with the spare roosters if you have any . The bachelor pen works wonders on a broody .

 

[Junibutt]

I didn't know you got rid of all your boys. Well, I have been thinking the same thing, after dealing with all these boys here. I can't process them and it is too hard to find homes for them around here.

Yes, they have been gone since the end of June, that's why my last hatch was mid July.

 

[Junibutt]

Put her in with the spare roosters if you have any . The bachelor pen works wonders on a broody .

Too bad I don't have any right now. Will need to get one soon

 

[chickendreams24]

We are in the same boat with the broodies. My gray silkie, a white gray silkie mixed color girl, my little partridge girl and a couple others have all toyed with the idea. The mixed color girl's sister was for a couple weeks but gave up.

I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy spring this year lol.

Yet we are still getting about 14-18 eggs a day on average. Still only one quail egg a day. I'm very much thinking my old fear may be correct that we do only have one female.

Didn't get any birds processed Sunday we relaxed and ran to the store did a few other things in the house. It was colder on Sunday nowhere near what it was on Saturday. Plus I'm still sick although I'm on the mend I'm still exhausted and miserable without cold meds for most of the day.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Well went out for a smoke and looked down the run. Feathers everywhere but no chickens. Everyone was in the coop so went out front to look and there is a hawk with 1 of my silver laced orps. How he lift her over that 6ft fence I don't know. Everyone is locked up and he is waiting since I interrupted his lunch

 

[cavemanrich]

Those hawks sure a problem. I do not have a solution for it ether. The caveman is down to 1 (yes 1

pigeon)