Why do I have non-broody Hens /

[sangel4you]

I too have leghorns and am thinking about getting a silkie just for broodiness, but the only thing with silkes ( I know there are a LOT of lovers out there and I apologize!) but I think they're ugly and I dont know how I would handle their...feathers...or their hair lol I dont know which to call it?! Is there another breed thats just as broody or how do u silkie lovers do it?! Thanks!

 

[Judy]

Thelma and Louise are most likely just arguing about who gets to lay in the nest.

I had 3 Kraienkoppe hens last year, all went broody, al were good mothers -- to one chick! The one I have left (predators) is again raising a brood this year.

There are several good broody breeds besides silkies, Kraienkoppes and OEGB included. Read here:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

Also, a lot of other breeds will sometimes go broody, like a few or several but not all the hens. Henderson's includes this in their chart for each breed:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

Most of the breeds I have at least sometimes go broody. I liked that because I want a few broodies to raise future generations, but I want eggs, too.

 

[monathequeen]

Up-Date on broody hen:
Well guy's and gal's today I have had "Ginger" my americauna. sitting since this morning. It's been a good 10 hrs or so now.
I'am excited as heck but I'am new to this brooding thing.
There are approx. 7-8 eggs under her. She gets agitated if I go near her right now so I assume that's a good sign.

The other hens don't seem to be bothering her right now so do they know what she's up to ?
How long will it take to get babies and do I need to seperate her at this point or leave her be. What about the other hen's since they lay in the same box's. There are three box's joined together and Ginger is in one of them.
I placed food and water inside for her so she dosn't go hungry. It may be too soon to be freaking out about this but I need to be educated on this new journey. Your advice and words are so much appreciated. Thank so much.
Ray

 

[TexasVet]

First, go to Amazon.com and order Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. I'll answer all your questions.

Second, get a marker or pencil and draw a circle around the middle of all the eggs your hen is currently sitting on. That way you can easily identify new eggs that the other hens have laid in the nest. They'll do that every time your broody gets off the nest to eat or drink.

Third, it takes 21 days to hatch a batch of eggs. So need to make sure that she's someplace isolated from the other chickens before that happens. Older hens and roosters sometimes kill newborns. This is going to be tricky to do, depending on your hen, because they don't like to be moved. The best time to do it is after dark.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[Marlinchaser]

I would seperate her, or at least block her off so the others will not force her off of her eggs. If not seperating her, mark the eggs she is sitting on, or you will have a staggered hatch resulting in chicks being hatched after 21 days of sitting, and when the broodie decides to take her chicks off the nest you will have partially developed eggs. AND as more are layed in with her the originals may be pushed out from under the mom again stunting or stopping the incubation process. They will take 21+/- days to hatch, may hatch a day early or late depending on how well broodie covered the eggs/ how often she allowed them to cool etc....

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
But if You'll answer all the questions why buy a book?

I know its spose to be it'll answer all your questions, but couldnt help but notice.

 

[TexasVet]

Quote:
But if You'll answer all the questions why buy a book?

I know its spose to be it'll answer all your questions, but couldnt help but notice.

Sigh... once you pass the big 50 it's all down hill. Can't even write a decent sentence anymore, and I'm a WRITER for chrissakes.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[MrsChicken1954]

Oh, to have non-broody hens! Light sussex and barnevelders been going down with broodiness like it's going out of fashion. 25 hens and I struggle to get enough eggs together for an omelette! One was in broody cage for a week and a half, ice cubes under her, cold water baths .... nothing worked so I have given in and now she has eggs too. Expecting about a million chicks soon!

 

[MrsChicken1954]

By the way - you definitely need to separate your broody from the other hens. If you don't, they will lay more eggs nearby and she will steal them to add to her clutch but they won't hatch at the same time and if she ends up with too many then none will hatch at all. Also, once the chicks hatch, remember how nasty hens can be to other hens: she may have to fight to defend her chicks.Put her near enough that the others can see her but not get at her and where her newly hatched babies will be safe from jealous hens.

 

[monathequeen]

Well folks, it looks like the game is on. I seperated my broody hen last night with her eggs to the "new" box wich is on the ground and completely seperated from the other hens. (with straw as bedding.)
She is on seven "new" eggs wich I picked from the other hens that were layed at the same time so there shouldn't be any staggered hatching IF they hatch......I had a heck of a time keeping the other hens out of her nesting box when she was up to eat and bathe.
They were breaking the eggs and poor ol hen was trying to get back in the box with egg yolk everywhere. I had to clean out the box and replace the bedding twice. Now she has her own space and all new eggs.
She seems content with her new surroundings and came out this am to eat and then back in to sit.
I have heard that the hen will have a bare spot on her chest for temp. regulating for the eggs. She does not and I wonder if she will eventually loose that hair and if not, will the eggs still be ok ?
This has been so frustrating for us not knowing what to expect from her and are we doing the right things for her. I guess this will be a learning experience for us all this time around and hopefully, all will go well and we will have new babies on or around the 28,29 th of July. I just had to vent and do not want anyone to feel burdened with my boring stories. Thanks, Mona.