Looking for a Broody

[teamsunbelt]

Can you encourage a hen to sit? I know I have fertile eggs, I have a couple good hens for moms, I just need one to sit. Is there something I can do to help them along?

I currently have 3 golfballs in one nest, just an idea I got from somewhere. I try to leave my eggs in the nest as long as I can in a day also. Any ideas would help.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Nope. I've tried all the tricks. I even have a hen that shows all the signs of being broody - belly plucked, screeches, bites, blows up like a blowfish. Then she lays her egg and goes on her merry way like nothing happened. Got home last night from a trip and there were 39 eggs in that coop and still no broodies.

You just gotta wait until their hormones kick in. It's frustrating as heck sometimes.

 

[teamsunbelt]

Have you ever had a Welsummer go broody? I have one and wish I had more.

 

[Nmarine1057]

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I wish I love the breed put they will hardly ever go broody. My wife got some silkies so I'm hoping they will be my sitters

 

[Happy Chooks]

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It's very rare to have a welsummer go broody - and even more rare that they make good mothers. A couple people here have been very fortunate to get both.

 

[teamsunbelt]

Is it easier to go with eggs or day olds when it comes to Welsummers?

 

[new chick 203]

Get a Cochin. mine is a determined broody. You can't talk her out of it.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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Depends what you want them for.

Me, I'd order eggs from a breeder. If you go the hatchery route, Estes hatchery is supposed to have the best welsummers.

 

[MetalSmitten]

wanna know what worked for me? buying two incubators, and hatching multiple batches of eggs. as soon as i had 50 youngin's running around that i myself incubated and brooded artificially.. then, THEN.. i kid you not.. THREE of my hens went broody. THREE. i think they just like being contrary.

as for real advice, i second getting a cochin hen or two.

 

[teamsunbelt]

I am hoping that my Orpington will go broody soon. Of course, at best I would get a few Wyandottes of who knows what color and some mutts. Not sure how good a Wyandotte and Welsummer cross. I am looking at borrowing an incubator soon to give it a try. If so, I may hunt down some pure Welsummers to add in.