To Brood or not to Brood

[DSJMHenDen]

I have a sweet little showgirl who I feel quite certain is broody. She has been in the nest box for 2 days. I gave her another girls egg just to see and she tucked it right under her (then I rudely stole it back )

I cannot keep more chickens as we already have 10 including the 6 in the brooder (chicks from feed store). I think it would be so awesome to let her hatch some eggs from a local seller, but knowing that I cannot keep them, I don't want to do anything to cause her stress. My thoughts were to let her hatch some babies and be a mama, then give them to someone looking for chicks. My concern is if that would make her sad, and how do I keep her safe? She is low girl in the pecking order and I don't know what would be an appropriate set up to allow her to safely hatch babies. And if this is a terrible idea, give it to me straight! I am very inexperienced compared to most and have never dealt with a broody. Thank you

 

[Mrs. K]

You could sell some of those chicks in the brooder or you could sell some of your older hens as layers if you want to make room.

I love to have a broodyand I love to have her hatch out or you could get the day old chicks and slip under her in a couple of weeks.

There’s just lots of ways of doing this hobby. I hope you have fun, but if you don’t let her raise chicks, do put her in a broody breaker.

 

[DSJMHenDen]

You could sell some of those chicks in the brooder or you could sell some of your older hens as layers if you want to make room.

I love to have a broodyand I love to have her hatch out or you could get the day old chicks and slip under her in a couple of weeks.

There’s just lots of ways of doing this hobby. I hope you have fun, but if you don’t let her raise chicks, do put her in a broody breaker.

Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately I have grown rather fond of my chicks, and I'd hate to part with one of my hens, so broody jail will be set up tomorrow. If it doesn't work I will look into other options. Maybe one day the timing will work out and I'll get to let a broody hatch some fluffy babies

 

[Perris]

My thoughts were to let her hatch some babies and be a mama, then give them to someone looking for chicks. My concern is if that would make her sad

It would not if you waited until she weaned them (when a broody and her chicks go their own ways, naturally, like kids growing up and leaving home)

how do I keep her safe? She is low girl in the pecking order and I don't know what would be an appropriate set up to allow her to safely hatch babies.

I have had many broodies sit and raise chicks amongst the flock. Ordinarily they do not need protecting. The broody hormones will actually increase her assertiveness, and lead to a rise in her status within the flock.

I think it would be so awesome to let her hatch some eggs from a local seller, but knowing that I cannot keep them, I don't want to do anything to cause her stress

I would do it. Don't assume that all your existing chicks and all eggs set will survive, especially when you and the broody are novices. But the lessons will be very valuable to both of you, for next time, when you can do it, and hopefully keep the chicks.

You do not need to break her. The hormones will switch off on their own in time. TLC is all that she requires.

 

[Ridgerunner]

if this is a terrible idea, give it to me straight!

Unfortunately I have grown rather fond of my chicks, and I'd hate to part with one of my hens,

What makes you think that you would not be equally attached to chicks that you hatched?

so broody jail will be set up tomorrow.

I think this is the right decision for you.

Good luck!

 

[DSJMHenDen]

So just a little update/ seeking further guidance. We did decide to "break" her of her broodiness because I would probably get attached . She was a little hard to tell because she has never roosted, but after about 2 days she quit making that low clucking when I moved her and seemed to be back to normal. Last night I noticed she seemed lethargic, and today she was very wobbly on her feet when I moved her out of the corner where she usually sleeps. She hasn't laid again yet, but from what I understand that is normal. Do broodys kind of go through a depression after you break them? I'm not sure what is wrong with my fluffy girl.