The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: sabrina on May 21, 2012, 12:06:48 am

Title: Broody
Post by: sabrina on May 21, 2012, 12:06:48 am

While some of you are waiting for your new chicks to hatch I am still waiting for a hen to go broody. So far none of the girls are even thinking about it.I could use the incubator but it is so much better if a hen does all the work, also the others get to know the new cicks from day 1 so not the same problems of trying to get them to accept incomers. Now that we are getting better weather maybe that will start one off.

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: in the hills on May 21, 2012, 08:37:59 am

Think so ...... came back from Builth yesterday to find 3 hens sitting tight!  ::)
 
We already have one broody with chicks. We do have some peekins though and it tends to be these that keep deciding to sit.

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: chrismahon on May 21, 2012, 07:40:26 pm

Pekins are a favourite for Broodies. Our Buff Orpingtons are pretty good as well. Are your hens old enough Sabrina as I wouldn't recommend a broody under 12 months old, over two years is best. Our 12 month old paniced and ate the chicks as they hatched. Assuming you are happy with that put some pot eggs in the nestbox and see if one sits. Then change them one at a time over a couple of hours -if you do them all at once she may leave the nest.

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: little blue on May 21, 2012, 09:29:00 pm

we now have three broodies,
a light sussex on turkey chicks (her second family! raised her own & her "sisters" last year)
a bc maran on 5 chicks and her sister just put on 8 (I think) LS x RIR & RIR eggs

having always had warrens, its abit of a novelty! But they are doing a cracking job...

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: manian on May 21, 2012, 09:35:49 pm

one of our warrens has just hatched 7 chicks
doing very well
 :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook:

:chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook: :chook:

waiting for the turkeystohatch under 2 broodies and their dad!!

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: little blue on May 21, 2012, 09:46:17 pm

lol @ Charlie, the "new man" of the turkey world!


We have a cat who likes boys & bums, so a yuppie dad is fine by us!

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: Greenerlife on May 21, 2012, 10:00:28 pm

Two of my hens have become broody just in the last couple of days.  i would like to put some fertilised eggs under them to increase my numbers but I doubt it is as easy as that is it?  what should I do?  Do I have to separate the broody ones - can you tell me what your experiences are?  (Bearing in mind I am a firsttimer at this!)

Title: Re: Broody
Post by: Fowlman on May 22, 2012, 12:02:24 am

Quote from: Greenerlife on May 21, 2012, 10:00:28 pm

Two of my hens have become broody just in the last couple of days.  i would like to put some fertilised eggs under them to increase my numbers but I doubt it is as easy as that is it?  what should I do?  Do I have to separate the broody ones - can you tell me what your experiences are?  (Bearing in mind I am a firsttimer at this!)

Better to separate her and put her somewhere quiet, small house and run should do nicely. A good broody will leave the nest daily for 15-20 mins, if she doesnt lift her off so she eats and drinks. Warning she may want to kill you when trying to move her  ;D  Before setting the eggs treat the nest with louse powder or whatever you use.