Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[wannahomestead]

Well I have another broody australorp. I also have 10 duck eggs from my ducks who recently started laying. I think I want to give Ms. Broody2 some duck eggs to hatch. They're a bit dirty though, is there a good way to clean the eggs?

I had a monster duck egg for breakfast today, it was a double yolker. It looked like it was fertile too had the little disc in the yolks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Don't do anything more than lightly brush them off. Really soiled eggs should probably not be brooded.

 

[wannahomestead]

Don't do anything more than lightly brush them off. Really soiled eggs should probably not be brooded.

I have a bunch that are covered in like straw from teh ducks laying eggs out in the run

 

[MayhemMarr]

OK so I skimmed through and noticed a few hatching still. I am new this is my first year and I have a broody lady she has been sitting all day and when I moved her just a little to see if she was hiding anything she gave me an ear full and fluffed up at me. soo my issue is what would be best we don't mind hatching I think it will be fun actually, and interesting but would the chick be able to handle a winter if we start this late in the year and my girl is a sex link I read they are not the broody type so if I break her will she go broody again next year?

 

[Folly's place]

Hens go broody when they are in the mood, so it's hard to promise anything. Years ago, one of my bantam hens hid in the barn with a clutch of thirteen eggs, and hatched and raised twelve bantam babies in mid November, in the barn, with no special help. It was a COLD November, but they did great. I have everyone in a safe coop now, so no suprises of that sort. I also don't allow broodies to set on eggs after August, to manage my flock better. Mary

 

[1muttsfan]

I would hesitate to call a hen that sat for one day broody. They can sit occasionally if they are waiting to lay an egg, or sometimes be broody for just a day or two before giving it up. If she sits tight for more than a few days, you might try her with some eggs. From what I have read, however, fall-hatched chicks in cold climates can underperform compared to chicks that grow up in warmer weather.

 

[aart]

I would hesitate to call a hen that sat for one day broody. They can sit occasionally if they are waiting to lay an egg, or sometimes be broody for just a day or two before giving it up. If she sits tight for more than a few days, you might try her with some eggs. From what I have read, however, fall-hatched chicks in cold climates can underperform compared to chicks that grow up in warmer weather.

Agrees...some seem to enjoy several 'sit in the nest for awhile' even more than once a day.
3 days and nights, only out for a bite of food and sip....is when I deem them broody.

 

[mindylee]

I currently have 17 broodys with many more thinking about it
UGH

 

[wannahomestead]

I currently have 17 broodys with many more thinking about it
UGH

ouch! 17?! that's broooodal

 

[taprock]

I have two moms with chicks right now and four broodys. Only one am I letting sit on eggs. My Serama girl is sitting on five. They always have trouble so she will be lucky to have one hatch. They have a heated coop though.

Guineas however, I ended up with 8 hatching. I just candled the 15 at the library and they are all developing so I may be swamped in Guinea fowl this fall. Today and tomorrow the Keets go with me to teach the kids.