Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

My usual broody Millie couldn't be less interested in the eggs I left out for her. Her sometimes broody mate Betsy checked them out for a little bit but then opted to go play in the yard. My never broody Karen checked them out for a bit and I thought just maybe she would be the one but nope. They sit there alone. Maybe no chicks this spring after all.

 

[Justso]

My usual broody Millie couldn't be less interested in the eggs I left out for her. Her sometimes broody mate Betsy checked them out for a little bit but then opted to go play in the yard. My never broody Karen checked them out for a bit and I thought just maybe she would be the one but nope. They sit there alone. Maybe no chicks this spring after all.

It is still early days. Hang in there.

 

[Faraday40]

x2. Weather has been odd and there's plenty of time to go broody. Mine used to wait until after Mother's Day and Cookie was my broody champion.

My little bantam flock is just chick crazy. They are on a whole different level. I know it's bad because they want to hatch year round. I frequently see another hen cover eggs when the broody takes a bio break

Popcorn will be 3 and this is her 1st time broody Not sure why now.

 

[Faraday40]

I candled tonight and decided to transfer to 360 incubator for hatch. I saw some air cells moving. No pipped beaks but probably positioning. The his way he m ready if they come early.

I think hatch could start Thursday night.
Control dozen 91.67%
8/8 Spitzhaubens from @homeschoolin momma
3/4 seramas

Shipped dozen 58%
7/12 SLO (randomly chosen)
** BUT seller gave extras so 10/15 total SLO eggs = 66.7%


So far so good. Now is the hardest part - the wait!

 

[Faraday40]

Just as I feared....... My broody trap might be working too well.

Popcorn is an all out pancake over her golf balls. This morning I saw a silkie on one side and a modern game on the other. Hopefully they're just visiting to deposit more eggs. Of course the other nest box was completely empty. LOL

 

[Molpet]

Just as I feared....... My broody trap might be working too well.

Popcorn is an all out pancake over her golf balls. This morning I saw a silkie on one side and a modern game on the other. Hopefully they're just visiting to deposit more eggs. Of course the other nest box was completely empty. LOL

Well you will have plenty of chicks and poults for them

 

[Faraday40]

Well you will have plenty of chicks and poults for them

@homeschoolin momma will actually be getting more chicks than me this weekend. Perhaps I should start loaning out some broody hens.

There's a business that rents out a coop with hens for a season. I borrowed a friend's rooster once, so why not loan out some broody bantams.
My new business ideas = "Rent a Roo" and "Borrowed Broodys"


* I already have a "Foster Fluffies" program. Local 4H kids and neighbors who want to play with chicks can take some to feed and care for. They return them after 6-8 weeks. Sometimes they choose to buy some but I don't mind either way.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Perhaps I should start loaning out some broody hens

I was going to suggest this last night!!! My goofy, broken seramas!

 

[SnootyHen]

Millie was broody all winter! She went broody about 5 minutes after laying her first egg and basically lays every day for a few weeks, then goes broody until I break her, then lays every day for a few weeks, then broody jail. I never thought for a split second that she would just NOT be broody. The whole reason we decided to get more chicks was to let her raise them. LOL!!

 

[GnomicHeresy]

I love the "Foster Fluffies" idea!

I'm new (well I spent some time here years ago but now I'm back) and I'm in the north suburbs. I've had chickens before back in California, but this suburb doesn't allow them unless you have two acres, so I was hoping to sneak some "Japanese ground parrots" past the lawn police. I don't have things set up yet but I wanted to meet other folks in the area and share ideas!

My kids would be so excited about getting to play with chicks! They're 8 and 4.