The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on March 05, 2016, 12:12:12 pm
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1 question would it be worth hatching chicks out now via a broody hen at all? One of my hens has gone broody and the cockerel has been running with them, would it be worth trying it to see what happens or would it be a little cold just atm? Would love to hear what you all think!
Thanks
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How long has she been broody and has she raised chicks before?
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I don't let broodies sit before the end of March - depends on the accommodation you have available for them once hatched.
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She will be able to hatch them. I have one quite tame hen who always goes broody early.
One year the weather turned bad so I moved her inside and into my brooder with the heat lamp at the other end. She sat tight for another couple of days so I gave her the chicks (I try to have the incubator going with eggs for when I get a broody - hen can hatch a dozen well but can brood twice that). Within a week the weather was beautiful and the whole lot were out in the sunshine.
People decide they want point of lay pullets in June/July so I think it's handy to have some hatched out early and ready to go to their new homes.
But if you don't at least have a shed that you can move her coop and run into, I probably wouldn't risk it.
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Thanks for the advice guys! She has hatched chicks before and was very good. I think i will wait until the weather gets warmer before trying.
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one of my chickens hatched 8 at the beginning of December, all well and thriving ;D