We have a Broody!

[shedinator]

Got this young lady and a couple sisters about a week ago from a seller who owned a roo. She's been like this for two days now. Is it worth trying to give her some eggs and see what happens? Or has it been too long since they were covered to hope for much success?

 

[SueT]

I think the eggs would still be fertile the following week. People have said up to 4 weeks, tho w decreasing fertility as time progresses. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hens remain fertile for up to 3 weeks, or longer, following mating. There would be no harm in trying. Gather the eggs you want to hatch and start them all at the same time rather than addfing eggs each day as they are layed

 

[KDMdesigns]

Can always start with the dummy eggs while u collect enough for a clutch, wish our Brahma would go broody.. only one to go was our original Buff Oph

 

[shedinator]

Can always start with the funny ehgs while u collect enough for a clutch, wish our Brahma would go broody.. only one to go was our original Buff Oph

This wasn't totally expected, but we're mostly ready for it. Have 7 eggs from the last 3 days. Will add the 2 we get tomorrow and call it good. She's a year old and the seller uses an incubator, so this will be her first hatch if successful. 9 seems like enough for a first clutch, yeah?

 

[KDMdesigns]

This wasn't totally expected, but we're mostly ready for it. Have 7 eggs from the last 3 days. Will add the 2 we get tomorrow and call it good. She's a year old and the seller uses an incubator, so this will be her first hatch if successful. 9 seems like enough for a first clutch, yeah?

That's great to hear, luckily you have readily fertile eggs on hand.

 

[shedinator]

That's great to hear, luckily you have readily fertile eggs on hand.

Yup! At least, I hope they're fertile

 

[SueT]

Please keep updating this thread so we can find out how it goes!

 

[Sublight]

I always recommend separating the broodys from the flock. I have a special brood pen, so she cant roam very much, and she has her own food/water just steps away.
There is nothing quite like a broody hen.

 

[shedinator]

Well, this is interesting... We put the clutch out there yesterday afternoon, and suddenly she's not interested - left the nesting box, isn't laying down, is generally active... Still a little puffed up and making "broody noises." Should we just monitor her for a couple days, or go ahead and reclaim the eggs now?