Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Angiebubs]

Thanks FisherLady!! I reached out to Dawg asking also. They get Fermented feed daily, and I give them scrambled eggs and yogurt every couple of days currently. I will try some sunflower seeds (I sprout them in the winter so they get them every other day but tend to discontinue that in the summer when they can get out for a couple hours of free ranging each day)

 

[poodlechicks]

I am thinking it may have been due to all the moisture we have had in the coop this spring (record breaking amounts of rain). I am planning on spraying the coop down with either Oxine or bleach, and holding off on treating with antibiotics unless they appear to get worse?

Do they stay in the coop for most of the day? If you're thinking mold, I would try to dry up the flooring with some DE and put dry pine shavings on top. I don't know how big your coop is or what bedding you're using, but this might help.

If the symptoms progress, I wouldn't wait too long to treat them.

 

[Angiebubs]

Do they stay in the coop for most of the day? If you're thinking mold, I would try to dry up the flooring with some DE and put dry pine shavings on top. I don't know how big your coop is or what bedding you're using, but this might help.

If the symptoms progress, I wouldn't wait too long to treat them.

I have been putting dry stall down then pine shavings and changing it out regularly. I think we MAY finally be past all the rain and drying up. I am going to spray the coop down with some Oxine tomorrow to make sure there is no mold/mildew. I have a fairly large coop 12 x 20 ft? so hand spraying would/will be a nightmare however I dont want it soaking wet again either. I misted their area with Oxine this evening. I was given a great article on this as well: http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/oxine.htm if anyone is interested.

 

[poodlechicks]

Angiebubs, keep us posted how they are doing. Glad you got in touch w the emergency thread. They are very helpful.

 

[Johnn]

Awh so cute!

Thanks!

Johnn, your flock sounds like mine. Everybody going broody, one at a time...

They are doing my head in!

 

[ChickyChickens]

Johnn, your flock sounds like mine. Everybody going broody, one at a time...

X2 same here! I have had 41 broodies this year already! There are just more and more every week...

 

[ochochicas]

Is it usual to have so many broodies? I thought I was doing so well with 8 hens and I was getting four dozen eggs per week. Now I'm down to only four laying. Yesterday I only got one egg!

 

[Johnn]

Two more hens on eggs. Got one egg each, if they hatch they hatch.

Here is broody orp and baby today.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Is it usual to have so many broodies? I thought I was doing so well with 8 hens and I was getting four dozen eggs per week. Now I'm down to only four laying. Yesterday I only got one egg!

I know what you mean. I've got mostly Dorkings, so they regularly brood, plus they're winter layers, so they're winding down production now even if they're not brooding. I've got 20 chicken hens and 5 turkey hens, and I'm starting to get more turkey eggs than chicken eggs!! But the 18 Dorking chicks are all vigorous and growing well under three broodies.

How many broodies you have depends on the breeds you have. Some breeds are well known to go broody, and once some start it seems to take over the whole pen. Other breeds rarely or never go broody. There's so many characteristics to consider when choosing a breed, and most people don't consider the tendency to go broody unless they specifically want broody hens. But brooding does affect egg production quite a bit, so if egg production is important to you than a few (or all) from a non-brooding breed might be a consideration

If you don't want the broody to raise chicks, you can break her brood over several days and usually get her back into egg production within a few weeks. I have posted an easy method for breaking a broody several times on this thread, at least once in the last month. Let me know if you can't find it and I will repost it if needed.

The eggs from times of plenty can last in the refrigerator for 4-6 months if properly stored, and eggs can be frozen for use during the lean times of the year. Let me know if you'd like me to post a method for freezing eggs that retains flavor and texture fairly well.

 

[poodlechicks]

I know what you mean. I've got mostly Dorkings, so they regularly brood, plus they're winter layers, so they're winding down production now even if they're not brooding. I've got 20 chicken hens and 5 turkey hens, and I'm starting to get more turkey eggs than chicken eggs!! But the 18 Dorking chicks are all vigorous and growing well under three broodies.

How many broodies you have depends on the breeds you have. Some breeds are well known to go broody, and once some start it seems to take over the whole pen. Other breeds rarely or never go broody. There's so many characteristics to consider when choosing a breed, and most people don't consider the tendency to go broody unless they specifically want broody hens. But brooding does affect egg production quite a bit, so if egg production is important to you than a few (or all) from a non-brooding breed might be a consideration

If you don't want the broody to raise chicks, you can break her brood over several days and usually get her back into egg production within a few weeks. I have posted an easy method for breaking a broody several times on this thread, at least once in the last month. Let me know if you can't find it and I will repost it if needed.

The eggs from times of plenty can last in the refrigerator for 4-6 months if properly stored, and eggs can be frozen for use during the lean times of the year. Let me know if you'd like me to post a method for freezing eggs that retains flavor and texture fairly well.

Sydney, would you post the method for freezing eggs, please? Thanks!

Yes, I chose BOs and now I have to live with their broodiness, but I don't mind b/c I really like how manageable they are. My broodies so far have been very good to me (not to the other chickens, though. I can pick them up and move them around with no problem. My fridge is full of eggs, so If I can learn to freeze them, I'll be good for the winter.