The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: loopy on July 07, 2010, 12:00:34 pm

Title: is it possible to be broody again??
Post by: loopy on July 07, 2010, 12:00:34 pm

i have a big fat wyandotte who is evil when broody and has in the past broken skin and drawn blood (mine!).

She went broody at the start of April, we put some eggs under her and we now have a 10 week old chick (past postings explain why only one!)

A couple of weeks ago against some peoples advice, we moved the wyandotte back in with our other layers/cockeral, and then so that the chick wouldn't be lonely, put the chicks Light Sussex real mother in with her.  The chick got on fine with her and vice versa, the hen is a very gentle natured bird and hasn't let us down - and they get on well together.

Problem is, i am fairly sure the wyandotte is now broody again - is this possible so soon after being separated from her chick??? 

And begs the problem, if she is broody, we would like to get some hubbard hatching eggs, but only have 2 coops - one currently with 8 layers and cockeral, the other with the LS and her chick.  The chick i believe should be eating growers pellets until 16 weeks old?  So presume i can't try and put her and LS in with the layers?

If i were to put the broody in my garage inside a cardboard box, would she be ok - and would she be ok to be moved into the second coop in a few weeks once the chicks have hatched?  (kind of wondering if could do this when new chicks are 2 weeks old - as current chick will be 11 weeks on Saturday, plus 3 weeks incubation for next lot and then moving them at 2 weeks of age would make the new chick 16 weeks).

Any thoughts?

Or should i be seriously getting yet another coop/run?  (Trying to minimise expenditure)

Finally, would 12 be an ok number of eggs to put under her this time?

thanks L

Title: Re: is it possible to be broody again??
Post by: Rosemary on July 07, 2010, 02:27:00 pm

I was told to use an odd number of eggs - something to do with the way hens arrange them in the nest.

Title: Re: is it possible to be broody again??
Post by: bamford6 on July 08, 2010, 01:51:54 pm

she well go broodey 3 or 4 times a season put 15 under her candle 7 days should finish up with 8 to 10 will will do that number with no problems

Title: Re: is it possible to be broody again??
Post by: loopy on July 08, 2010, 07:08:32 pm

thanks bamford6 - and do you think i could use a box in garage like i was thinking for her for the 3 weeks incubation and then for 2 weeks after that before moving them all to my second run?