Author Topic: ye canny beat a broody!! (Read 2727 times)

meebh · « **on:** June 02, 2011, 09:53:16 pm »

Hi

As the title says I am still amazed and in awe of the work a broody does. We have had a few hatches in an incubator this year and they have been ok, mixed results.

However gave a broody 11 eggs and she is now clucking around with 10 really healthy gorgeous chicks. Only one stopped growing so therefore didn't hatch!! So 100% fertility and an excellent hatch rate!!

Well done Poppy - she makes a lovely Mum

CameronS · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2011, 10:43:17 pm »

i think one of the best things is that the hens are not effected by power cuts! and cost less on electricity bills

Glentarki · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2011, 10:56:17 pm »

Thats a brilliant result I can imagine your a very proud mum too!.........We had until 2 years ago a very old strain of Sussex bantams they were just the best broodys 3-5 times a year they went broody and sat rock solid.......So I agree ye canny beat a broody and doesn't it just save dragging the incubator and heat lamps out
Well done!
Dave

Beewyched · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2011, 12:04:10 am »

Well - just to be contrary

We've had 14 chicks hatched-out today out of 15 (though I'll give it another 48 hours) from the incy. We've had 2 broodies, supposedly, sitting on eggs as well.

Checked on the broodies tonight & one of them (who was sitting on

is now on an empty nest

There was definately 8 under her last night

Is this crows ? - they've been raiding the chuck house, but thought the broodies had found "safe" places in the byres

Roxy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2011, 12:26:42 am »

Could be a rat?

I have never used an incubator - prefer the broody!!

At the moment, two of our banties are out on loan sitting on some game eggs, we have two banties with a total of 10 chicks, the light sussex has hatched two ducklings out for a neighbour, two hens are sitting on 8 eggs each, and two more banties each have 6 eggs under them.

It-needed-a-home · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2011, 07:55:35 am »

fingers crossed for my 4 broodies just now this will be a bumper year for me !!!

only used the inky one this year and they have done the rest!!

Juno · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2011, 08:53:55 am »

I have been amazed, I have my first ever broodie (only had chickens for 5minutes) she sits rock solid, i had to buy in fertile eggs so fingers crossed, i can't wait for this weekend 22 days is up on sunday

i really do hope they all hatch for her, she will be very dissapointed if they don't

Micki · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2011, 09:24:53 pm »

I've never used an incy, i've always just let the broodies do the job. I'd probably only mess it up if i tried. I have 2 broody hens at the moment, both are on 6 eggs each, i can't wait for them to hatch

.
First time i have had to buy fertile eggs this year so i have gone for different birds to what i have

.

Juno · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:35:11 pm »

I am eggstatic, my 1st broodie has hatched all 6 of her Ancona eggs, and she is beautifully doting on her new brood, i'm a very please chicken mummy xxx

Thanks to Peartree poultry for the eggs

It-needed-a-home · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2011, 01:40:18 pm »

well done !!!!!! good result am just waiting 10 more days then i should be 12 on the way then its the 22nd for the other 3 broodies

bumper year for me