Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

In my experience it is only too many because they are confined. According to everything you will read on the internet my roo/hen ratio is way out of balance. Yet with 95% being free range there aren't ANY problems. But being they are penned, and appear to have to be, yes, there are too many for that small a place.

Sounds like you have too many roo's for your numbre of hens. I have read that you only need 1 roo for every 12-15 hens. So sounds like your roos are just trying to figure out who's top dog. I would keep the one that is the most "aggressive" because he will be most likely to protect your flock, since you do some free-ranging. We had 3 roos in the beginning too. We butchered all but one, cause I want to hatch eggs (hopefully with my two buff's soon who appear to be broodyish). And I'm glad I kept the one I did. He is very protective of his girls. Whenever I come in the coop to feed/water he is right in there, just watching me. He knows I'm the "bread winner", so he puts up w/me. But he has pecked at the dog through the fence whenever he gets too close. I am going to try to free-range them this spring and see how my 10mo old lab does with them. Hopefully between me and the rooster, we'll have good luck!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Glad the storms weren't too bad. We had some thunder and rain pass through overnight. I heard more thunder at 5am - just when I was debating about getting dressed to go for an early morning walk. We had a fire last night in the wood stove and I almost had to turn on the ceiling fan it got so hot. LOL! 50F in March isn't the norm for us - but I'm loving it.

I just wanted to tell everyone, Boy did we have some storms last night, the wind sounded like a frieght train coming through and rain I don't know how much because our guage is put away for winter but it came down in torrents, thank goodness no tornadoes, So sad about all the states that experienced them and loss of life. We get floods but haven't ever had a tornado. My little EE's are doing so good, it's been since last year that I had chicks in the house and a duckling, and I was a nervous ninny getting up during the night to check on them and making sure they were warm. I'll get some pics of them today. So thankful we didn't loose power it would have been miserable in here if I had to started up the wood stove at 50 degrees out side. Now the cold front is going to be coming in and we'll have lows in the lower 20's for a few nights, it's a bummer too because we have things budding out since we've had such nice weather here. Hope noone else had to deal with weather. So looking forward to seeing more chicks and hearing about broody mamas. What a life... Hey stony No broodys yet?

 

[stonykill]

I just wanted to tell everyone, Boy did we have some storms last night, the wind sounded like a frieght train coming through and rain I don't know how much because our guage is put away for winter but it came down in torrents, thank goodness no tornadoes, So sad about all the states that experienced them and loss of life. We get floods but haven't ever had a tornado. My little EE's are doing so good, it's been since last year that I had chicks in the house and a duckling, and I was a nervous ninny getting up during the night to check on them and making sure they were warm. I'll get some pics of them today. So thankful we didn't loose power it would have been miserable in here if I had to started up the wood stove at 50 degrees out side. Now the cold front is going to be coming in and we'll have lows in the lower 20's for a few nights, it's a bummer too because we have things budding out since we've had such nice weather here. Hope noone else had to deal with weather. So looking forward to seeing more chicks and hearing about broody mamas. What a life... Hey stony No broodys yet?

so glad to hear you are safe down there! No broody's ...yet. Last year my 1st one sat successfully midd march. Soon enough I am sure. I get 9 to 12 Sumatra eggs a day from just my tin shed. Someone is going to sit on some or some golfballs one day soon enough!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yes - I knew we had too many roosters - I was just so hoping they'd all get along. Now I know better. I've decided to rehome the two oldest and keep the Silkie, Daisy. He was outside the run this morning when a black bird flew over and he sqwauked loud and was clucking the goodies song when I tossed out mealyworms for them to eat. So as long as I keep his top feathers trimmed I think he will be a fine look out for our backyard flock. We don't really have a "free range" situation - our yard is fenced and wired with 2x4 welded. They are fairly secure and the coop is very secure - so I just need a lookout when I am out there in the yard with them and I decide to leave them loose from their run. I have witnessed him trying to woo some of the LF girls - but I don't know how successful he will be with that. I feel he is a good interim rooster for my flock.

Foghorn was a good flock protector, but he's aggressive towards my sons and has attempted to flog my youngest special needs son, he is good at showing the ladies where to lay and where the treats are located, but he's rough with mating the ladies and he attacked the baby chick - so that did it for me.
Francis is just coming into being a rooster - he will let me get close to him, but he's rough with the ladies - I suspect he may settle down later - but he's huge! I don't want a massive rooster.

So, Daisy is staying for now - I am confident he will step up to the challenge - or we'll be on the lookout for a new rooster.

Sounds like you have too many roo's for your numbre of hens. I have read that you only need 1 roo for every 12-15 hens. So sounds like your roos are just trying to figure out who's top dog. I would keep the one that is the most "aggressive" because he will be most likely to protect your flock, since you do some free-ranging. We had 3 roos in the beginning too. We butchered all but one, cause I want to hatch eggs (hopefully with my two buff's soon who appear to be broodyish). And I'm glad I kept the one I did. He is very protective of his girls. Whenever I come in the coop to feed/water he is right in there, just watching me. He knows I'm the "bread winner", so he puts up w/me. But he has pecked at the dog through the fence whenever he gets too close. I am going to try to free-range them this spring and see how my 10mo old lab does with them. Hopefully between me and the rooster, we'll have good luck!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yes, that's exactly it - we don't have the acreage for them to free range and avoid each other - but I'm sure they would have less problems it they were spread out more - they are mostly penned during the winter and that can cause issues. So, whenever Francis tries to mate one of his girls - Foghorn rushes over and pecks at the girl and Francis. Then to top that off Snow White - the lead pullet - rushes over and does the same thing! She pecks the girls that Foghorn mates too! She's one mean girl! So far Daisy has remained in the background - but then again, he's the 3rd rooster down. It will be interesting to see the flock dynamics when he is put in charge.

In my experience it is only too many because they are confined. According to everything you will read on the internet my roo/hen ratio is way out of balance. Yet with 95% being free range there aren't ANY problems. But being they are penned, and appear to have to be, yes, there are too many for that small a place.

 

[williamsl77]

Thanks Miss Lydia and bobbieschicks for your replies... I will just wipe the eggs if she poops on them again. This morning, there was another pip, but no one else had hatched yet. I wouldn't be too surprised if the hatch took a few days, though, cause it was very cold outside when she started sitting and she started sitting on 21 eggs. I think some might have started at different times depending on what she could fit under her at the time. After taking out 7 when I first found her, each egg that I've candled has been alive. So here's hoping we get more.

Hope I didn't hurt the ones I washed, though I only used warm water and was pretty gentle about it.

I'm at work today, so can't check on her til later. Will keep you posted!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, that's exactly it - we don't have the acreage for them to free range and avoid each other - but I'm sure they would have less problems it they were spread out more - they are mostly penned during the winter and that can cause issues. So, whenever Francis tries to mate one of his girls - Foghorn rushes over and pecks at the girl and Francis. Then to top that off Snow White - the lead pullet - rushes over and does the same thing! She pecks the girls that Foghorn mates too! She's one mean girl! So far Daisy has remained in the background - but then again, he's the 3rd rooster down. It will be interesting to see the flock dynamics when he is put in charge.

I have 3 LF hens and both of my roos are small and have tried to mate with my LF but don't think they have ever been sucessful, but because I have more bantams than LF I can't have a LF rooster, I had 1 a few years back and he was way too rough on my bantams so in the freezer he went. I think you have made a good choice on your pick of roo's he will step up to the plate and be a good one for your girls when your other 2 leave.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Miss Lydia and bobbieschicks for your replies... I will just wipe the eggs if she poops on them again. This morning, there was another pip, but no one else had hatched yet. I wouldn't be too surprised if the hatch took a few days, though, cause it was very cold outside when she started sitting and she started sitting on 21 eggs. I think some might have started at different times depending on what she could fit under her at the time. After taking out 7 when I first found her, each egg that I've candled has been alive. So here's hoping we get more.

Hope I didn't hurt the ones I washed, though I only used warm water and was pretty gentle about it.

I'm at work today, so can't check on her til later. Will keep you posted!!

Looking forward to hearing how it's going and how many you get.. all the best.

 

[stonykill]

I might be getting a pair of Indian runners. male and female, born from a broody last year!


and my beautiful wife is on board!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I might be getting a pair of Indian runners. male and female, born from a broody last year!


and my beautiful wife is on board!

So exciting I love runners .