The Old Folks Home

[Myrth]

Speaking of being original, we called them banties. We also called broody hens settin' hens and when they were broody they were settin'. I had never heard them called broody until I saw it on this site.

We always called it setting too.

 

[Wisher1000]

Speaking of being original, we called them banties. We also called broody hens settin' hens and when they were broody they were settin'. I had never heard them called broody until I saw it on this site.

LOL! Me, too! I knew about 'broody' but it was used to describe the state of mind. What she was doing was "settin'!" I also heard the term "Biddies" used for chicks (IE: "Here comes that old hen with her biddies.") but later learned it is really supposed to be the old hen that is the biddy. (IE: That ImaJean Criswell is as orn'ry as an old biddy!)

 

[Cynthia12]

LOL! Me, too! I knew about 'broody' but it was used to describe the state of mind. What she was doing was "settin'!" I also heard the term "Biddies" used for chicks (IE: "Here comes that old hen with her biddies.") but later learned it is really supposed to be the old hen that is the biddy. (IE: That ImaJean Criswell is as orn'ry as an old biddy!)

Yep, now this sounds familiar. That's how my grandma talked about her hens. Sittin, and biddies.
And, the first time I heard ~ Don't count your chicks before they hatch, came from her. Once those little chicks started hatching, I knew why, when the mom stopped sittin. All of those eggs under her hadn't hatched.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: ANother tough year here. Last year the mid west drought sent buyers up here to NE to take back trailer loads and drove the prices to the highest ever. $10 a bale. THen this year the weather only allowed for 1 cut in most areas. NOt good. HOpefully you will have enough hayin your area this year. I have cut down on the number of horses and the sheep flock is at 1/3 of a year ago. Really saves on hay.

Quote:

A lot of first time users do not under stand how the eco glow works. It will not heat up the brooder and thermometors do not register a warm spot at 95degrees. The chicks have to push up to the black heated surface to get warm and then they go away from it. Chicks brooded with one are much healthier--It cracks me up on the Heritage threads when the talk about how much healthier the chicks are with a Broody. They can get very similar results with and eco glow.

I do not post about that on that thread though. Many are anti tech there.

Well, now I really want to get one! Not "anti tech" here, no sir!
SOme of are open to new ideas. THough I completely understand that there is the risk on those threads. lol

 

[chickensnewtome]

I have a couple hens that are really star broodies, and a few that are also stellar mommas. My banty (Banty, I'm original) is perhaps the most reliable broody, ever. She lays only a few eggs, then goes broody for weeks. I usually let her hatch a few times a year. She'll raise them to about 4 weeks, then lay a few eggs, then repeat the cycle. This fall she also molted, and is already back on a nest, growling.

The only problem I have with broodies is I don't get the close up chick contact that I crave. I enjoy letting them take the reins.

And Banty's only problem with this whole arrangement is that her chicks always look weird, have flipper limbs, and grow exponentially larger than her, quickly. I love it when she still tries to sit on them to keep them warm at night and they're twice her size.

THAT IS THE CUTEST THING EVER!!!! When do hens usually go broody? I am not having much luck with this stinking incubator! I need a broody hen but then again I am not sure if any of my breeds are known for broodyness.

Speaking of being original, we called them banties. We also called broody hens settin' hens and when they were broody they were settin'. I had never heard them called broody until I saw it on this site.

I always thought they were banties till I got on here and they were settin to. LOL

LOL! Me, too! I knew about 'broody' but it was used to describe the state of mind. What she was doing was "settin'!" I also heard the term "Biddies" used for chicks (IE: "Here comes that old hen with her biddies.") but later learned it is really supposed to be the old hen that is the biddy. (IE: That ImaJean Criswell is as orn'ry as an old biddy!)

 

[dsqard]

ANother tough year here. Last year the mid west drought sent buyers up here to NE to take back trailer loads and drove the prices to the highest ever. $10 a bale. THen this year the weather only allowed for 1 cut in most areas. NOt good. HOpefully you will have enough  hayin  your area this year.  I have cut down on the number of horses and the sheep flock is at 1/3 of a year ago. Really saves on hay. 

Yes I downsized this year too. I sent my two biggest horses up to NY to live with DD. The half draft was her horse anyway and send the mother of my 5 year old so the half draft would have a buddy with her. Now that DD has her own place with pasture and her fiancée's family grows hay and alfalfa for their dairy herd, it is nice to get the two biggest eaters off my feed bill. Six tons may get me to first cutting next year with only the three left in Utah, but it will be close. $10 a bale is a little pricy for here right now but it would be "cheap" in the winter time. Of course we only have 60 - 70 lb two string bales at that price. Everyone only does two string around here. I miss the three string bales since you have to load/stack less often. I am keeping my eyes open for another ton to ease my worries.

 

[gryeyes]

I have returned from a pre-dawn transport of ten more chickens from here to the new coop at the Ranch. This time I included pullets; the roo/hen ratio is very off balanced and will be for a long while. I think I have two more cockerels and six more pullets to move, but those are all rafter and tree roosting birds, so I will need some assistance in gathering them. I have more than ten hens staying here....with Carl. Guess I didn't realize how many senior gals there really are in the flock. And then I have to plan the Duck Rodeo, later on down the line. But today, John and I will be putting more "apron" wire down around the run, plus figure just how to cover the run with the netting. ..... Oh crap! I just noticed a box with two pullets in it I forgot to load into the Quest! Darned pre-dawn darkness! Pre-coffee, too. I counted birds as I took them OUT of the boxes inside the new coop, so these pullets will up that poor hen/roo ratio just a tad. I'll be heading back to the Ranch in about forty-five minutes. Must have more coffee, first.

 

[ronott1]

<*yawn*>

I have returned from a pre-dawn transport of ten more chickens from here to the new coop at the Ranch. This time I included pullets; the roo/hen ratio is very off balanced and will be for a long while. I think I have two more cockerels and six more pullets to move, but those are all rafter and tree roosting birds, so I will need some assistance in gathering them.

I have more than ten hens staying here....with Carl. Guess I didn't realize how many senior gals there really are in the flock.

And then I have to plan the Duck Rodeo, later on down the line.

But today, John and I will be putting more "apron" wire down around the run, plus figure just how to cover the run with the netting.

..... Oh crap! I just noticed a box with two pullets in it I forgot to load into the Quest! Darned pre-dawn darkness! Pre-coffee, too. I counted birds as I took them OUT of the boxes inside the new coop, so these pullets will up that poor hen/roo ratio just a tad. I'll be heading back to the Ranch in about forty-five minutes. Must have more coffee, first.

Always drink some coffee first!

I hope the neighbor will be happy now. It will be a lot quieter at you home place now.

 

[dsqard]

And then I have to plan the Duck Rodeo, later on down the line.

Video please when you do!

 

[Highcotton]

Quote:
Exactly! Brooding was when you were thinking of something and getting mad.