Pullet acting super strange!!!

[ldrchickens]

Thank you guys!!! I belive thats what shes doing. She was out walking around and eating now shes doing it again after just laying an egg. As long as i take her eggs daily will she keep it up until spring when she can hatch?

 

[Eggcessive]

You don’t want her to go on with being broody for more than a few weeks—the time it takes to hatch eggs, or they can get weak and malnourished. Broodies who go on and on for weeks and weeks can even die. Once they get really broody, most stop laying eggs. I would just break her now while it will probably just take 5 days or less, and she will probably go broody again next spring or summer. When you do want a broody to hatch some eggs, collect them and store in a cool spot inside, and mark the date when you place them all under your broody. That way you can tell if someone else comes along and lays their egg there, and you will know when to watch for chicks to hatch—around 21 days.

 

[ldrchickens]

You don’t want her to go on with being broody for more than a few weeks—the time it takes to hatch eggs, or they can get weak and malnourished. Broodies who go on and on for weeks and weeks can even die. Once they get really broody, most stop laying eggs. I would just break her now while it will probably just take 5 days or less, and she will probably go broody again next spring or summer. When you do want a broody to hatch some eggs, collect them and store in a cool spot inside, and mark the date when you place them all under your broody. That way you can tell if someone else comes along and lays their egg there, and you will know when to watch for chicks to hatch—around 21 days.

Thank you. Would it hurt to let her try to hatch some now? Would they make it in the cold weather?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not, but I let my first broody hatch eggs once in Feb. The chicks need to be kept warm for 6 weeks, and it was hard to keep my broody bantam and them warm enough, so I used a heat lamp, and just let them get under it if they needed the warmth. Once the chicks get fully feathered, they should be able to manage. I just prefer to let broodies raise chicks in the spring when the weather is a bit warmer. My broodies have always gone broody every year, so I don’t think you will have a problem waiting, but it is up to you.

 

[aart]

Would it hurt to let her try to hatch some now? Would they make it in the cold weather?

I would not...have done so and it went OK, but taught me not to do it again.

 

[ldrchickens]

I would not...have done so and it went OK, but taught me not to do it again.

Do you mind elaborating? What do u mean ok but taught u not to do it again? If you dont mind

 

[ldrchickens]

I would not, but I let my first broody hatch eggs once in Feb. The chicks need to be kept warm for 6 weeks, and it was hard to keep my broody bantam and them warm enough, so I used a heat lamp, and just let them get under it if they needed the warmth. Once the chicks get fully feathered, they should be able to manage. I just prefer to let broodies raise chicks in the spring when the weather is a bit warmer. My broodies have always gone broody every year, so I don’t think you will have a problem waiting, but it is up to you.

Thank you!

 

[aart]

Do you mind elaborating? What do u mean ok but taught u not to do it again? If you dont mind

I let a broody hatch in frigid weather, luckily it all worked out OK, but was laborious to keep water supplied and it was my first broody....so more worries maybe. I did have her segregated from the flock with a wire wall, there could have been more problems if the flock had access to her nest. She hatched 100% of 7 eggs (very lucky that hatch day was a thaw at 38°F) but one died later, got stepped on I think. They were bopping around in 5°F temps, not for long.... but still. I do think their tiny feet may have gotten frostbit a tad, there was some distinct funkiness on some of them. Anyway, I wouldn't do it again due to the risks.

 

[hugitnotnugget]

I have a sizzle pullet around 6 months of age. She started laying thanksgiving day. Yesterday she was fine and i just got home and now she is laying in the nest box picture attached. She looks like pictures if hens ive seen broody. No eggs underneath her. When i pic her up she just stays in the same position. When she is touched she puffs up and lifts her tail and lowers her head. She doesnt seem to be breathing hard and every thing else seems normal. Is there something wrong with her or is she maybe trying to be broody? Thanks!

I thinks she’s just broody as long as she is eating and drinking and she has he eyes open she is probably fine. I have had lots of hens be broody with no eggs. And pullets can act a little weird as they try to figure out how to be a hen.

 

[Eggcessive]

With a broody, one must also be sure that she is strongly broody before putting eggs under her. That may take a couple of days. They should always be set at the same time, so that all hatch within a day or two. That way, she can get up and take the new chicks out and about, and not be sitting on eggs still waiting to hatch. It is always a good idea to have an incubator available in case the broody decides halfway through that she doesn’t want to sit. Good luck with your broody if you go ahead and let her sit.