The Spring Bug has bit me, and I want some chicks, but...

[cheeps]

So, I have two laying pairs, Crile OEGB's, and dark cornish games. Both hens are laying and are over a year old. I've only had chickens for two years and we've never tried to have babies before, we always collect our eggs every day. So, probably the stupid question of the day, but if I leave the eggs in the nests, will they continue laying and then sit on them? Or am I just wasting the eggs. I know they have to go broody, but does the sight of a pile of eggs start their broodiness?

The two pairs are sperated and are in their own cages.


Sorry to be so clueless!

 

[Imp]

I don't think you can make a hen go broody. They do it on their own schedule.

Imp

 

[millie481]

good luck...I hope one does go broody for you.

 

[MiniBeesKnees]

Personally I think they can be encouraged to go broody by letting the eggs collect.
Since my goal is chicks more than eggs, this spring I'm doing just that...letting the eggs collect.
Terry in TN

 

[cheeps]

Terry in TN - that's my thoughts as well! I keep showing the eggs to the hens, in hopes they will think "Hmm...what should I do with those?" LOL

 

[MiniBeesKnees]

Well, I know for sure they recognize what one is when they see it.

About ten days ago in the evening I moved my broody hen and her seven eggs to a new nest. She was in a second story open dog crate and I moved her to a secluded wire cage wrapped up with a dark tarp, with an attached small run for her with food and water in it.

She squats down in the straw in the run and will not go in the cage. So I put her in there, and she runs right out. Repeat.
So I go in the house, get my big maglight, squat down in the coop in the stray poop, and stick my arm in the little run and shine the light on the eggs so she can see them.
Her head jerks up, and she RAN into the cage, and settled herself down on the eggs.

Feeling them with her feet when I put her in there twice didn't work, but when she saw them, she was right on them.
Due on the 18-19th, I can't wait.
Terry in TN

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. In my never ending quest to get a broody I've tried all the tricks, including letting the eggs pile up. Doesn't work.

 

[cheeps]

Quote:
I agree. In my never ending quest to get a broody I've tried all the tricks, including letting the eggs pile up. Doesn't work.

Aw man! Are they more likely to go broody this time of year?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. In my never ending quest to get a broody I've tried all the tricks, including letting the eggs pile up. Doesn't work.

Aw man! Are they more likely to go broody this time of year?

Well IMO mother nature is telling all the animals it's time to renew life, so yes springtime is the right time to hope for a broody.

 

[cheeps]

My rooster's are most definitely in that frame of mind!!