I can't speak for everyone, but my hens usually go broody where other hens can lay eggs in with them. A hen starts with, say, 6 eggs, and before you know it, she's trying to sit on 14, 15 eggs in Heaven only knows what stages of incubation! Checking at least once per day lets me remove the extra eggs. I've also had eggs disappear from under the hen due to predation, eggs getting moved by the hens, etc, etc - the only way you know what's happening, is to check once in a while.
I agree with that. I mark all eggs under a broody with the date and remove volunteers. I only go in when she does her daily duty though.I can't speak for everyone, but my hens usually go broody where other hens can lay eggs in with them. A hen starts with, say, 6 eggs, and before you know it, she's trying to sit on 14, 15 eggs in Heaven only knows what stages of incubation! Checking at least once per day lets me remove the extra eggs. I've also had eggs disappear from under the hen due to predation, eggs getting moved by the hens, etc, etc - the only way you know what's happening, is to check once in a while.
Quote: I agree, but then again I am a bit old school, as my DD's tell me alot!
Scott
Quote: I'm all for choices. After brooding in the house for 2 winters I would like the broody biddy to do the work---
Someone needs to take your temp!!!! lol
Both Parts!!
Scott
More reasons to understand that everyone's situation is different and we have to deal with what comes at us.
Your're right, Scott, I once reached under a hen to count her eggs by feel. I touched something strange so I lifted her to look. Underneath was a coiled up, four foot long, gray rat snake which had eaten two eggs and settled into that warm spot for a nap. The hen was happily incubating him!
