Yet another question

[Orpingtonlover]

I have heard that Rhode Island Reds are not good for going broody but if i leave the eggs is there any chance one of my other hens may take on the nest i really want to hatch them out but if the red wont i don't know what to do.

 

[CarriBrown]

If I want a hen to go broody, I'll leave a couple golf balls in their favorite nest. That way, I don't have to deal with spoiled eggs.

 

[Orpingtonlover]

how many do they usually lay before they want to go broody? and will she still stay on the nest if i add other fertile eggs from somewhere else?

 

[CarriBrown]

Yes, once she decides she wants a brood, she will lay and start collecting eggs (including the eggs from other hens that lay in the nest). The amount of eggs depends on the bird. Standards can sit on more eggs than a Bantam.
You can slip eggs under her once she decides to sit. The broody I have now is sitting on four eggs. I just put the egg in front of her and she tucked it under herself.

 

[Orpingtonlover]

your very smart Carri what about putting eggs in there before she is broody to get to go broody faster?

 

[CarriBrown]

Use golf balls instead of eggs. When she starts to sit on the golf balls, she's ready for you to give her eggs.
Make a home for her away from the others (use a dog crate, a rabbit cage, or something like that) so she can have some privacy. Make a nest (I cut a small cardboard box and use that with shavings) and put food and water in the new house.
Remove her from her golf ball nest at night while they are sleeping. It will be less stressful for her that way. Put her in the new nest with the eggs. She will arrange the eggs and push them under herself.
She will appreciate the privacy, trust me! The last thing she wants is for other hens to bother her or try to take her eggs. Putting her by herself insures that she will get up to eat and drink because she doesn't have to worry about the "dangers" of other chickens around.
My broody is in the house right now. I put a towel over her cage so she feels hidden. She gets upset when I take the towel off.

 

[Orpingtonlover]

Carri i dont really know what to do though i have 16 hens that are laying age and only one that i know of is laying im getting frustrated because there not laying at least not in the boxes at first i thought they may be laying in the wood shavings on the floor but upon inspection i never find any what could be going on and if they are laying where are they!

 

[justusnak]

Orpingtonlover....I got some of the plastic easter eggs...and filled them about half way with oystershell.....just enough to make them heavy, so they "feel" real to them. Mine were laying on top of the nest boxes....untill I put the fake eggs in the nests. I just use ONE fake per nest. They got the idea really fast!