The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

Quote: That is the perfect description of my Settin Hens! Ornery old Biddies!

I have one that started this weekend. She tried to peck me last nigh when I was checking to see if thee were eggs under her. It was very cute.

 

[gryeyes]

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

Uhhh, yes...... That's what MY broody hens do: thinking of hatching and getting mad at being disturbed whilst setting. But, for sure, broody was an adjective not a noun, until I joined BYC. Interestingly (to me, anyway), my granny meant an old hen when she referred to a "biddy" and "bitties" were chicks. Biddies = hens, bitties = chicks.

 

[Highcotton]

Quote:
I think there some benefits to the natural methods but I like to take advantage of the technology where it is beneficial and cost effective. I spent too many years doing things the natural way because that was the best we had.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

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.

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

It depends on the breed anymore. If hens go broody. We had a small flock of OEGB's....who all likes to go broody at once. 2 broodies to 1 golfball ratio....
The Plymouth Rocks and the one Barred Plymouth rock....don't go broody.

So, I am having to grow my own. Broody. I have 1 OEGB hen left to hatch eggs..poor thing. I also have an EE rooster, but I don't know if his sired pullets go broody. I have one of his OEGB/EE pullet ...not yet to POL. And one EE/PR pullet.... not quite 4 months old.

 

[insanity]

I'm proud of myself. Yesterday I only spent $10 bucks on hens and came home with only 5. 2 white houdan pullets (1 was a few black spots), 2 EE (1 plucked totally bald) and 1 buff orphinton/EE mix. Fat, sassy and well cared for they look pretty good. After quarantine they will make good additions to my flock.

 

[Wisher1000]

Uhhh, yes...... That's what MY broody hens do: thinking of hatching and getting mad at being disturbed whilst setting.

But, for sure, broody was an adjective not a noun, until I joined BYC.

Interestingly (to me, anyway), my granny meant an old hen when she referred to a "biddy" and "bitties" were chicks. Biddies = hens, bitties = chicks.

When speaking with a southern accent, there is no difference between the two!

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I'm all for choices. After brooding in the house for 2 winters I would like the broody biddy to do the work---

I'm proud of myself. Yesterday I only spent $10 bucks on hens and came home with only 5. 2 white houdan pullets (1 was a few black spots), 2 EE (1 plucked totally bald) and 1 buff orphinton/EE mix. Fat, sassy and well cared for they look pretty good. After quarantine they will make good additions to my flock.

Someone needs to take your temp!!!! lol

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Middle TN is set to receive our 1st frost tonight! I hate cold weather so much. It is 70 degrees in my house right now and I am freezing, but too cheap to turn on the heat. Due to all the rain, I saw somewhere on BYC to cover a run using clear plastic shower curtains. Naturally I tried it. It did not work....what do y'all use to cover your runs? The rain collected on the curtains and they ripped due to the heaviness of the water collected on the top. I am open for cheap suggestions.

Found some used galvanized roofing dirt cheap. 2 sheets make the combo roof/doors of one coop (half A frame) I used half of the rest to cover the chain link dog run converted to chicken run. The other half I covered the ground under the three compost bins to keep the tree roots from growing up into the compost. Makes it easy to shovel/sweep the bins when moving compost from bin to bin or bin to garden.

I made the mistake of building the bins large enough for my Bobcat scoop. Don't have a Bobcat any more. After a few tries shoveling compost through tree roots I found the answer.

The people even hauled the roofing for me so they could see the chickens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

..That's what MY broody hens do: thinking of hatching and getting mad at being disturbed whilst setting....

And can someone explain why people think they have to mess with a hen while she's setting?
People run them off the nest thinking they'll starve or they think they have to help a chick out of an egg.

Just have another cup of coffee and relax. What happens, happens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The 2 Ohio brooders I built a few years ago in action. They have 4" sides above to hold pine shavings for insulation. Since I brood most of the year; fall, winter and spring they need heat lamps as the building temp can be down to freezing.