- Oct 3, 2012
- 17
- 1
- 22
Ok, so this is my first experiment in the broody business, AND I'm relatively new to raising chickens.
So, let me start off by saying that I had suspected I had a couple broody hens laying on a clutch, but I couldn't really get in to check on them because I had this extremely aggressive rooster who has since been culled. Incidentally, that's the same reason they ended up with the clutch in the first place. Anyhow, now I am able to get in there without fear and really check on them. Just as I suspected; two broody hens side by side, practically sharing a nest! I suspected one has been broody now for at least two weeks, and the other probably closer to a week (although my memory is really fuzzy). I actually want to try to hatch this clutch, especially now that I don't have a rooster.
I have some probably really stupid questions... So my apologies in advance. LOL!
So my questions are: I'm tempted, can I actually just leave them be and watch what happens, does anyone have any experience with just letting a chicken lay, set, hatch, and brood with minimal intervention? We've had some hot weather, can the hens essentially bake the eggs (it ran through my mind and I had to ask!)? I have some duck eggs in there as well, if and when chicks come I'm considering putting the duck eggs under chicken number 2? Do they know if there is a dud egg? What is the success rate with this type of situation? I've pretty much convinced myself that this will not actually happen, so when do I give up?
Thanks everyone!
Teresa
So, let me start off by saying that I had suspected I had a couple broody hens laying on a clutch, but I couldn't really get in to check on them because I had this extremely aggressive rooster who has since been culled. Incidentally, that's the same reason they ended up with the clutch in the first place. Anyhow, now I am able to get in there without fear and really check on them. Just as I suspected; two broody hens side by side, practically sharing a nest! I suspected one has been broody now for at least two weeks, and the other probably closer to a week (although my memory is really fuzzy). I actually want to try to hatch this clutch, especially now that I don't have a rooster.
I have some probably really stupid questions... So my apologies in advance. LOL!
So my questions are: I'm tempted, can I actually just leave them be and watch what happens, does anyone have any experience with just letting a chicken lay, set, hatch, and brood with minimal intervention? We've had some hot weather, can the hens essentially bake the eggs (it ran through my mind and I had to ask!)? I have some duck eggs in there as well, if and when chicks come I'm considering putting the duck eggs under chicken number 2? Do they know if there is a dud egg? What is the success rate with this type of situation? I've pretty much convinced myself that this will not actually happen, so when do I give up?
Thanks everyone!
Teresa