[suziequeue]

The title speaks for itself. One of our speckledys has gone broody and we are thinking about getting some RIR eggs for her to go on.

Is that a foolish prospect at this time of year?

We don't have anything in the way of additional equipment.

[Dizzycow]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing today. I've never had a broody, but I suspect that one of my light Sussex ladies is thinking about it, and I was wondering what to do if she is. The temp dropped to below minus 15 this time last year.......

[bigchicken]

I have eggs in the incubator, but discorage any broodiness at this time of year I believe that all youngsters need warmth and dry condition to flourish. If you can supply  these condition in the middle of winter that's fine if you cant then I would think again . 

[Womble]

We don't have anything in the way of additional equipment.

Yes, but hens don't have power cuts!! 

Whilst it's hardly the best time of year for hatching, if you equate half a dozen eggs to a forgone omelette, what do you really have to loose?      As bigchicken says though, they'll need somewhere nice and snug once hatched, and it will require quite an effort to keep everything clean, with fresh water etc. Still, if you can provide that, why not?

[suziequeue]

Yes - I'm thinking the wood shed is a possibility once we get the new workshop up and running we can move stuff out of there and clear a space.

Then there would be electricity for a heat lamp aswell.

I do like the idea of eggs hatching under a hen. I don't think I would have the technical skills to use an incubator 

Hubby has come round to the idea which is great.

Perhaps I'll get a rabbit hutch and fill it with hay and then she can go in there in the wood shed....... or does she need to be outside??? 

[manian]

we had a broody hatch some of the turkeys in the spring, we moved her inside the brick shed and she was fine

they don't move much when broody,  (or eat/drink). i was so worried as she looked out of condition by the end. (she soon recovered though  )

so long as shes warm.
good luck
Mx

[benkt]

I found a broody in the garage yesterday determinedly sitting on three of her own eggs. I think I might just leave her to it as she should be all right to stay in the garage over winter. At least I know where she is, I'm worried that if I move her she'll  just start again somewhere less sensible outside.

[Rosemary]

I wonder if this is unusual and a symptom of the unseasonably warm weather?

[jaykay]

I don't hatch at this time of year, I think chicks are better when they can get out in the sun and the warm. At this time of year they're very dependent on electricity and spend a lot of time indoors  That said, I've also got a Marran who's trying hard to be broody!

[Anke]

Yep, one of mine is broody too, but I just think it is the wrong time of year to encourage her.... I bet by spring she will have had enough (she was trying to sit for most of the summer, but I really do not need any more hens, and we didn't manage to source any good quality goose eggs).

But I always run the incubator in parallel to a hen sitting, and at this time of year any chicks would need the heat lamp for such a long time that the cost of electricity is really not worth it.

[Eggs, Chicks & Hens]

I had a broody bring 6 chicks off 2 weeks ago & they developing just as fast as if it was summer, got another broody due Thursday. I blame the crazy weather

[confused]

They will be fine , let her in the woodshed , broody's are no as daft as wee think they are.

[Womble]

.....would need the heat lamp for such a long time that the cost of electricity is really not worth it.

We bought an 'electric hen' instead of a heat lamp, which paid for itself in lower electricity costs after only a couple of uses.  Of course if you have a lamp already, the decision isn't quite so obvious, but it might still be worth doing the maths, to see if it might work out cheaper in the long run?

[Roxy]

I would not normally sit eggs at this time of year, but my banties think overwise, and as I said in a previous post, one hatched 11 chicks next to the field wall behind a fence.  That was 1st November.  All in a rabbit hutch now, and doing well.  I have noticed the bantie sitting on them a lot ....maybe she realises they need to be kept warm as its been frosty some nights.

Have a black silkie clucking away too!!

I think the warm weather we keep having is confusing the hens.  I know its confusing me ....not sure whether to wear my winter woollies or not

[Anke]

.....would need the heat lamp for such a long time that the cost of electricity is really not worth it.

We bought an 'electric hen' instead of a heat lamp, which paid for itself in lower electricity costs after only a couple of uses.  Of course if you have a lamp already, the decision isn't quite so obvious, but it might still be worth doing the maths, to see if it might work out cheaper in the long run?

Well we have two heat lamps for lambs and goat kids already, so really couldn't justify something else.

Found a nest of eggs in the tall grass outside the chicken run just the other day, couldn't work out which one it was - she's had her wings clipped now!!! I think she must have been going/flying out for a while to lay, as there were quite a few egg shells around - the crows were sitting nearby and waiting! So I do not rate the intelligence of my chickens all hat high!