Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

I really want to get somemore hens in for next year that have a high chance of being broody, i really want silkies but i doubt they would get through the pecking order very well...

I've had no problems with silkies integrating in my mixed flock. Hope you get some. They are so beautiful.

 

[Johnn]

I've had no problems with silkies integrating in my mixed flock. Hope you get some. They are so beautiful.

They just look like the other hens could hurt them soo easily!, and they don't look like they would even put up a fight for a place in th pecking order. If i don't get some the if my orp is broody next year i will buy her some silkie eggs

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Stoneykill - thanks for sharing! That's kinda what I was thinking of, we had duks when i was a little kid, and they had something like that (memory is fuzzy) they had a pond too. I'm thinking of designating one side of the yard where I divert a spring to run though black pipe to a 'made pond. They can play in the muddy run off all they want, sun in the am, shade and wind protection pm. I do miss the little quackers! This has been quite a year for broodies, second go around is up to 25, and they have plenty of time for each to go again this year....yikes!

 

[stonykill]

Stoneykill - thanks for sharing! That's kinda what I was thinking of, we had duks when i was a little kid, and they had something like that (memory is fuzzy) they had a pond too. I'm thinking of designating one side of the yard where I divert a spring to run though black pipe to a 'made pond. They can play in the muddy run off all they want, sun in the am, shade and wind protection pm. I do miss the little quackers! This has been quite a year for broodies, second go around is up to 25, and they have plenty of time for each to go again this year....yikes!

I stopped counting the number of broody's after I surpassed last years count of 14. I might have had 19 or 20 so far either sitting or with little ones. Most all of the early girls are going at it again. 2 have just had their 2nd hatches.

BTW ducks are the best!

 

[aoxa]

 They just look like the other hens could hurt them soo easily!, and they don't look like they would even put up a fight for a place in th pecking order. If i don't get some the if my orp is broody next year i will buy her some silkie eggs

My broody silkie hen that is sharing a brood with my barred rock keeps attacking the barred hen. They can integrate well. It honestly depends on their individual personality. All of my silkie hens got along really well with the flock. It's my rooster.. poor thing beat up on my barred rock rooster until that rooster decided to fight back. Now I have to keep Steve in a separate location.

 

[stonykill]

a few broody pics from today

had visitors in my workshop




got this pic off right before she flogged me twice for getting too close. The lil ones were off the nest 10 minutes tops when I got this pic.



and a little while later I look out the shop door and had to take this pic. Baby head

Another dark blue Sumatra who started sitting a few days ago. A funny succession of pics.







In other broody news another black Sumatra hen started sitting yesterday. And my only Black Austrolop is starting to show broody signs. She is 3. Never been broody before, so only time will tell.

 

[aoxa]

  a few broody pics from today

  had visitors in my workshop 




  got this pic off right before she flogged me twice for getting too close. The lil ones were off the nest 10 minutes tops when I got this pic. 



 and a little while later I look out the shop door and had to take this pic. Baby head 




  Another dark blue Sumatra who started sitting a few days ago. A funny succession of pics.







   In other broody news another black Sumatra hen started sitting yesterday. And my only Black Austrolop is starting to show broody signs. She is 3. Never been broody before, so only time will tell.

Don't you find they look like turkeys when they do this? I love it! They are so grouchy! haha

I've never had a hen that would attack me. I pet my broodies a lot when they are setting, and after a few days they just seem to soak up the attention. My barred rock was bitter for the first week, after that she would close her eyes and enjoy the scratch between the wattles. Now she doesn't care if I handle her chicks. They all attack other chickens/pets that come near. I love when they attack my dogs. It cracks me up!

 

[jobeth3]

My Delaware hen went broody, so we put some fertilized eggs under her...She has done a good job! Today is day 20, and the 1st chick hatched this morning...I hope the other 2 hatch as well!

Here is "Mashmallow" with her 1st hatched...Also, I am thinking the chick is a black pullet sex link...the mother was a barred rock and the roo was a red.

 

[bobbieschicks]

 They just look like the other hens could hurt them soo easily!, and they don't look like they would even put up a fight for a place in th pecking order. If i don't get some the if my orp is broody next year i will buy her some silkie eggs

Currently my alpha roo is a 38 week old silkie. He's ruling over two 22 week old cockerels. A welsummer and Ameraucana. He has no trouble maintaining his position. When my alpha roo was a White Leghorn this guy was never chased by the WL but the other cockerel, a lavender Orpington was constantly getting a beat down.

My oldest silkie girl is Topsy and she was the lowest ranked until some newer chicks hatched. She fights just as well as the EE for her spot in the ranks. Of course that's when she isn't broody. She's been broody twice in her brief 38 weeks.

The silkies have a sweet side that makes them gentle by nature. But they also fight for their position.

 

[bobbieschicks]

  a few broody pics from today

  had visitors in my workshop 




  got this pic off right before she flogged me twice for getting too close. The lil ones were off the nest 10 minutes tops when I got this pic. 



 and a little while later I look out the shop door and had to take this pic. Baby head 




  Another dark blue Sumatra who started sitting a few days ago. A funny succession of pics.







   In other broody news another black Sumatra hen started sitting yesterday. And my only Black Austrolop is starting to show broody signs. She is 3. Never been broody before, so only time will tell.

That's almost the same thing Topsy my silky did the last time when she went broody. She walked around all puffed up with her wings lifted squawking at everyone.