The Backyard Bantams
Songster
Hi! This might sound like a stupid question, because I’m sure it’s very different for different hens. I currently have four chickens, my first ever flock. I’ve had a chicken called poppy since he was eight weeks, I got him with others, and I always suspected, just a little suspicion that “she” was a he. I made a thread on this yesterday and every single person was like yep that’s a Cockerel! So I have three little bantam crossbred pullets, and one little Cockerell. Unfortunately I’m not allowed roosters so I can’t keep him. I will rehome him on the farm I got him from. Anyway, in the spring I’m going to get some more chicks, six or eight I think. So that’s the plan for this year, for adding to the flock. So my three pullets are about 26 weeks old, one is only 22 weeks, and not yet laying. One of them, Ebony has recently started squatting so I think she is close to laying. So I was thinking maybe next year most likely I might have a shot at having a broody Mama hatch some eggs. The chickens I have now, I’m not sure exactly how good they would be be at being mamas. Ebony is half silkie, and maybe half Sebright. I know silkies are very good mamas, So I might be able to give her a shot. Then again, the chicks I get this spring will be adults by next spring, and I’m planning to get some breeds like Dutch bantams and silkies that I have heard are good mothers . So my main question is in general, or for pretty good broody breeds such as silkies or Dutch bantams, is there a specific routine for going broody at all, or is it very random? If it is more routine, how long after coming into lay they begin the cycle?