Why can a broody......

[MarkJr]

Take day old chicks out and terrorize the world. They eat grass, bugs, watermelon, kitchen scraps, chuck starter, and everything else they can shove in their gluttonous little beaks. Their crops are distended all day because they are full till behind their necks...... and there aren’t any digestive issues. No impacted crops, no pasty butt....

How do we as chicken tenders replicate this in the brooder? Jerk them outside and set them partly on a gravel driveway, partly on the lawn.... have a warm spot to dive under every fifteen minutes and randomly toss them a few feet to replicate being in the wrong spot when momma scratches for them? Then take them inside so it’s not drafty for the night hours?

Im truly trying to figure out why broody’s chicks, adopted or hatched, don’t have the issues a strict brooder batch does.

 

[R2elk]

Take day old chicks out and terrorize the world. They eat grass, bugs, watermelon, kitchen scraps, chuck starter, and everything else they can shove in their gluttonous little beaks. Their crops are distended all day because they are full till behind their necks...... and there aren’t any digestive issues. No impacted crops, no pasty butt....

How do we as chicken tenders replicate this in the brooder? Jerk them outside and set them partly on a gravel driveway, partly on the lawn.... have a warm spot to dive under every fifteen minutes and randomly toss them a few feet to replicate being in the wrong spot when momma scratches for them? Then take them inside so it’s not drafty for the night hours?

Im truly trying to figure out why broody’s chicks, adopted or hatched, don’t have the issues a strict brooder batch does.

1. The hen is the portable heater at the perfect temperature available at all times.
2. The chicks are naturally getting the appropriate size grit which allows them to grind their food into digestible forms.
3. Weak chicks are not hand catered to and do die.

 

[R2elk]

The ironic thing is that most breeders (commercial) have bred out broodiness in many breeds, making it so rare. Is that for money so that people have to buy an incubator or more chicks?

It is mainly for egg production. Broodiness = no eggs being laid.

 

[Shadrach]

Take day old chicks out and terrorize the world. They eat grass, bugs, watermelon, kitchen scraps, chuck starter, and everything else they can shove in their gluttonous little beaks. Their crops are distended all day because they are full till behind their necks...... and there aren’t any digestive issues. No impacted crops, no pasty butt....

How do we as chicken tenders replicate this in the brooder? Jerk them outside and set them partly on a gravel driveway, partly on the lawn.... have a warm spot to dive under every fifteen minutes and randomly toss them a few feet to replicate being in the wrong spot when momma scratches for them? Then take them inside so it’s not drafty for the night hours?

Im truly trying to figure out why broody’s chicks, adopted or hatched, don’t have the issues a strict brooder batch does.

You can't replicate that in a brooder.
Naturally reared chicks have different issues, often terminal. However, those that do survive along with their mother tend to grow into stronger healthier and from what I've seen, better balanced individuals.

 

[The Happster]

I've heard that Yokohamas go broody regularly. Is this true? I've wanted one, so if they go broody easily, then...

You're obsessed. Go and buy yourself a bator.

 

[The Happster]

1. The hen is the portable heater at the perfect temperature available at all times.
2. The chicks are naturally getting the appropriate size grit which allows them to grind their food into digestible forms.
3. Weak chicks are not hand catered to and do die.

4. Chicks are outside within the first few days (hopefully), building their immune systems, and clutter in the brooder builds up less.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ah, poop. I'll have to email McMurray about putting the Light Brahma in the broody category. They were the only ones available at the time, however. Can Buff Orpingtons go broody easily?

No. I only ever had one buff go broody and she only did it once in 7 years.
My bantam black cochin is my best most consistent broody. She turned 11 this year.

 

[R2elk]

Ah, poop. I'll have to email McMurray about putting the Light Brahma in the broody category. They were the only ones available at the time, however. Can Buff Orpingtons go broody easily?

The broodiest hatchery chickens that I had were the White-laced Red Cornish. This cross between a White-laced Red Cornish and a Light Brahma was the best and most frequent automatic Incubator I ever had.

 

[Pullet Press]

You're obsessed. Go and buy yourself a bator.

I know. Sorry, I've already discovered that I'm obsessive-compulsive, so that probably explains part of it. The other half is that I want an excuse to get more chickens.

 

[Rooapalooza]

Yeah, and Faverolles are such pretty birds!

Where in Texas do you live? I'm just west of Austin. I have an extremely broody white silkie hen I'm about to sell or give away... she's brooded about seven clutches and is just over a year old . I actually have another silkie who's also pretty broody and is free-range raising quail chicks for me right now! She hasn't lost a single baby and they are extremely happy to have a mom.
Chickens do such a good job with chicks! Even my rooster caters to them: he offers them food, lets them sleep right underneath him on the roost, doesn't peck at them. It's really cute.