The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: CameronS on June 02, 2010, 12:01:17 pm

Title: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: CameronS on June 02, 2010, 12:01:17 pm

Quote

If your hen goes broody we can temporarily replace her with a layer - we'd be glad to have your broody hatching eggs for us!

"Hens Made Easy" - fife

If so did it work?, or do you think it is worth while?, i have a broody, but haven't got the space to separate her, or to let her have a brood.

Just thought i would get your views before i made any form of decision

Thanks, Cameron

here is the link to the site you you can have a look around http://www.henkeepingfife.co.uk/ (http://www.henkeepingfife.co.uk/)

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: jameslindsay on June 02, 2010, 12:05:58 pm

I have met the lady that runs this business Cameron and had a tour of her facilities. I have to say she is very pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable. I didn't know though about all of the facilities offered on the web site.

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: shetlandpaul on June 02, 2010, 12:18:15 pm

no idea but there is a risk of disease spread with all that swapping about.

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: Roxy on June 02, 2010, 12:53:11 pm

not seen that, Cameron.  I could supply the lady with a good deal of broodies at the moment - even the blooming battery hens are clucking, which is unusual.  So I am well down on laying hens.

I have seen an advert renting broody hens out at £5 per week.  You take your eggs to the broody, and she sits on them, in exchange for a fiver.  I could be quids in doing that here, must have at least 10 hens broody at the moment, thats not counting the ones with chicks!!!

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: jameslindsay on June 02, 2010, 01:07:53 pm

I have 10 girls and not one of them is showing signs of broodiness. I would have liked at least one to sit.

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: Roxy on June 02, 2010, 02:04:18 pm

Had you been near me, James, you could have borrowed a broody - free of charge, not a fiver, of course!!  Never had so many broody hens and bantams before. 

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: jameslindsay on June 02, 2010, 02:10:50 pm

Thanks Roxy, very kind of you. :)

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: Roxy on June 03, 2010, 12:36:28 am

I have relations near Glasgow, who come down regularly, but I doubt they would be happy to give one of the broody hens a lift, but if they would, I am sure there is someone in that area who would be happy to let the hen hitch a lift further North. 

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: dizzy1pig on June 03, 2010, 10:48:28 am

Hey James, You can borrow one of mine as I have 4 silkies trying to sit on 10 eggs
And I am 5 minutes away :chook:

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: jameslindsay on June 03, 2010, 11:04:03 am

Quote from: dizzy1pig on June 03, 2010, 10:48:28 am

Hey James, You can borrow one of mine as I have 4 silkies trying to sit on 10 eggs
And I am 5 minutes away :chook:

Thanks, that's very kind of you. I have eggs in the incubator at the moment and if they don't hatch, due in the next few days, I will give you a shout. Thanks again.  :)

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: egglady on June 03, 2010, 11:38:46 am

so how would this work i wonder?  I want to hatch some hen eggs out in the next few weeks and have a steady supply of (hopefully) fertile eggs - up to now the only option has been the incubator.  so if someone lent me one of their broodies, would i just pop her on some eggs and leave her to it then?

and dizzypig, would your kind offer stretch as far as me by any chance....??? ;D

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: Roxy on June 03, 2010, 12:16:55 pm

Yes, it should work.  I would suggest you pop a pot egg, or not one you want to sit, under her for a day or so, thats what I do, to make sure the hen will definitely stay where she is put.  That way, if she scoops the eggs out of the nest and marches up and down in a huff, your fertile eggs are not in danger.

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: dizzy1pig on June 03, 2010, 04:42:57 pm

that no problem if you want 1 for shot you welcome :chook: :wave:

Title: Re: Has anybody used a service like this?
Post by: bamford6 on June 06, 2010, 10:36:17 am

i have people bringing  eggs to hatch and i charge £5 and iff i have a broody its 8 and you take it away with the chicks iff they dont hatch i put some off mine under and charge £10 you just dont no haw it will go .i dont no haw things have turned out this breeding season because it was late