Problem with Broody

[Mrs. K]

I am wondering how long she was off the nest? Or are you starting with new eggs? My tried and true hen, on day 17 got on the wrong nest. And they must have gotten too cold, as none of them were any good

So if she has been moving those eggs may not be a go, but if they don't, you can always slip chicks under her in the dark of night. You might be looking to see if you can get chicks somewhere around the 21 days, or you can add chicks to your clutch if you want a different breed. Perhaps you know all this, sorry.

However, having a broody hen do the work is the best. It is cold and rainy here today, and she has them tucked up under her as warm as toast. Mine stay with the flock, and mama must be tough, or perhaps it is my roo, although I have never seen him do anything, cause no one bothers them at all!

MrsK

 

[Ridgerunner]

I had one like that. Actually she is my current broody. The first couple of days, before I gave her eggs, she jumped from one box to another. I made my nest boxes so I could lock a hen in if I wanted to. In her case, I wanted to.

I'm retired so I am around during the day. I'd let her out when I could be there to see which nest she went back on. After a couple of days of being mostly locked up (I'd toss her off the nest so whe could eat, drink, and take care of other duties, plus I have food and water in a space next to her) she has consistently gone back to the nest with the eggs. Now I do not lock her up but I do check on her a lot.

If yours has accepted the crate, you are doing great. I would not change anything.

Ranchy, these are due July 6 and this hatch is mostly for meat. My luck with a "meat" hatch is usually 10 pullets and 5 roosters. Can you do something about this one?

 

[ranchhand]

Awwwww, heckydoo, Ridge. Not sure I can help, but I'll do my best. I quit eating chicken much a while back, but I'll still cook them!

Hmmm, any preferences? Fried? Broiled, roasted? Jamaican Jerk? Chicken salad? Smoked? Never was much good at making dumplings, but stewed is good. Chicken Gumbo?

 

[Rammy]

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[Rammy]

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[Rammy]

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[Niss]

I am currently using the "cage inside the coop" method. If a second hen goes broody can she be put on a nest in the same cage???

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I wouldn't. If they get into a fuss over eggs, the eggs will be the losers. Having said that, I know of several folks that do let their hens brood in a communal nest.

 

[gritsar]

Rammy, it just occured to me that your hen may be moving eggs precisely because it is so hot right now. Perhaps the nestboxes choices are too hot for her, seeing as how she has to be in the box for most of the day?

What I noticed back in late winter/early spring when a bunch of my hens all went into a broody frenzy is that their setting was weather-dependent. When they got off the nest for their daily constitutionals, they stayed off longer on warm days and less time or sometimes didn't get off the nest at all on cooler days.

Perhaps your hen is doing the hen's version of goldilocks, looking for a nest with just the right temp.