Silly broodies

[NU CHICKS]

Very very cute!!

How many eggs is too many for a 1st broody hen?

 

[speckledhen]

I think the general rule is that they can handle up to 12 eggs of the size they lay. Guess it really depends on the size of the hen vs the size of the egg and how many they can actually cover.

 

[NU CHICKS]

Quote:
THANKS!

 

[onthespot]

I know for sure that seventeen is too many. I put seventeen under a broody and weeded out duds over a few days. Twelve is what she has now and she is covering those well. I have a silkie over about ten bigger eggs, and truth is, it is a couple too many. I bedded her deep and am crossing my fingers. Probably I will be learning a sad lesson, but I was too greedy and here we are today. I am new at chickens.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Well, I thought we were done with the broodies for the year, but we have at least one sneak, and possibly more! There is definitely a cochin mix hen that is setting, not sure how long, haven't seen her much for a few days, and today we found her nest. In the process of looking for her nest, we found 2 more nests, one with 10 eggs, and one with a hen on it, hope she was just laying! I thought they had all just quit laying, but I guess they just don't like having their eggs stolen! Hope we have Indian summer this year!! Anyone in the market for blue mixed breed bantam chicks?

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, my goodness! You're having a broody Autumn!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
I know, isn't it CRAZY!! There are only 4 hens that are adults, the rest are this year's chicks, like Jan.-April, so I guess they had to get theirs in before winter, didn't want to wait I guess. I forgot about another game hen of my dad's that is missing, she probably has a nest hid somewhere as well. I hope they do set on them, cause my bator is FULL!! I'm supposed to be getting one given to me tomorrow, hope they don't forget!!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Well, I thought we were done with the broodies for the year, but we have at least one sneak, and possibly more! There is definitely a cochin mix hen that is setting, not sure how long, haven't seen her much for a few days, and today we found her nest. In the process of looking for her nest, we found 2 more nests, one with 10 eggs, and one with a hen on it, hope she was just laying! I thought they had all just quit laying, but I guess they just don't like having their eggs stolen! Hope we have Indian summer this year!! Anyone in the market for blue mixed breed bantam chicks?

Ok, well now I guess I'm just bragging,

The cochin mix hen is definitely setting, and my OEG standard hen, who was one of the sneaks, is now setting on her nest!!

The last time I checked, she had 12 eggs in it, but that was 2 or 3 days ago...I have baby chicks coming out my ears!!

 

[speckledhen]

Shh, dont tell my hens! I'd rather not do this again till late winter/early spring!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:

Gotta love that indian summer!!