- Dec 31, 2010
- 15
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I have Dorkings. The reason I went with Dorkings is their strong brooding instinct.
I have recently had two broody hens abandon their eggs 5 days before the eggs were due to hatch. They are freerange during the day and are locked in at night. They are both nine months old.
This most recent one was sitting her eggs in the hen house in a good spot, away from the roost. She had been sittting very well, leaving only to quickly to get food and water and then was back on them. The day before yesterday she stopped going back to them during the day, but at night she is on them. They were due to hatch in about 5 days. The weather has not hit above 49 degrees both days so I am guessing the embryos have died.
Since this is the first time either hen has gone broody, is it an immaturity thing or is this telling me that neither hen will successfully brood and raise chicks.
I have recently had two broody hens abandon their eggs 5 days before the eggs were due to hatch. They are freerange during the day and are locked in at night. They are both nine months old.
This most recent one was sitting her eggs in the hen house in a good spot, away from the roost. She had been sittting very well, leaving only to quickly to get food and water and then was back on them. The day before yesterday she stopped going back to them during the day, but at night she is on them. They were due to hatch in about 5 days. The weather has not hit above 49 degrees both days so I am guessing the embryos have died.
Since this is the first time either hen has gone broody, is it an immaturity thing or is this telling me that neither hen will successfully brood and raise chicks.