Question about a first-time broodie

[Lobzi]

I only have one hen who hangs with two of the roos. Chickie, who is mean to all of them, has to be kept separate. He prefers shoes and has never tried to mate with the hen, even when they were together in the yard. He prefers shoes.

 

[DDRanch]

Quote:
Nope, that is not the problem. Believe me, Mama wears the pants among the two she hangs with. Roo, my Faverolle, protects her from HP who is much more aggressive about mating with her. Im not even sure her eggs are fertile.

Good. Gotta love a confident hen !! I had a buff orphington play broody for a month to avoid harrassment from 2 of her sisters, before I figured it out. Glad this is not the case with your flock.

 

[chickenlove2009]

Quote:
never actually had it happen to me, but i have read that the reason they do that is for (the first two) protein or they may have been unfertile. with the latest egg eating - she probably knew the chick had some type of deformity or it was already dead. Somehow, someway the momma hens know.

good luck on your last five, though.

 

[Jonathanq1]

Thanks for the info. It was just sad to see the wet dead chick there and the momma eating away at the egg. I double checked to make sure food was in the cage. I don't leave work till 10pm. I'm nervous about what I may be coming home to see tonight. Maybe I'll just wait to check on her in the morning and hope for the best with the 5 eggs that are left. I will make sure I post a few pics if the 5, 4, 3, 2, or maybe 1 of them make it.

 

[Lobzi]

Well she is on her 3 eggs tonight. I guess Ill let her go for it and see what happens. Im not so sure they are even fertile but she seems to really want to be a mama.

 

[Lobzi]

Well she is on her 3 eggs tonight. I guess Ill let her go for it and see what happens. Im not so sure they are even fertile but she seems to really want to be a mama. i hope it turns out that they are.

 

[Jonathanq1]

It's when you least expect it that your 3 eggs will hatch. At least your hen is not cracking the eggs herself.

 

[Lobzi]

Thanks, I sure hope so. She is VERY protective of her eggs. So far, a good mama. Im very excited to be a first-time grandma.

 

[Jonathanq1]

It's a great feeling. You will be very proud.