Author Topic: Broody hen (Read 14800 times)

Bluff · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2016, 11:11:01 am »

[member=42855]waterbuffalofarmer[/member] its a good point and that is what we do now - I think I was in love with the idea of chicks on the grass as per all the magazines.......but I quickly realised how many of these photos are staged or do not show the dangers that lurk. (we have a lot of lurking rats :-( )
Those chickens look beautiful.
no chicks for us this year as we are in transit (I think)

Fleecewife · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2016, 11:39:49 am »

There is a downside to very dark eggs, in that they seem more prone to having blood spots in them, which some people don't like.

Dans · « **Reply #17 on:** June 07, 2016, 12:29:09 am »

D'oh I didn't know about the blood spots. We have gone with 6 cuckoo maran eggs off ebay. Seller had good ratings so fingers crossed. I understand I leave them to sit for a day or two after they arrive before putting them under her. Is room temperature alright.

I'll also pop a couple of our eggs (crosses) under and see what happens.

Now just to sort some accommodation for her. Would a dog crate in the shed be ok?

Dans

JedM · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2016, 07:50:23 am »

A dog crate should be fine but they prefer a darker place to have their nest. I just use a cardboard box on its side, so she can come out to eat and drink when she wants, and the nest is dark and gives her privacy.

twizzel · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2016, 08:37:20 am »

Echo everything above but keep her and the chicks shut in when they hatch- I have lost young chicks to cats and birds free ranging before. My duck has 10 days left and if anything hatches she will stay in a run for 7-10 days after ??

Dans · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:53:30 am »

Yeah it was the dog crate I was thinking of keeping them in once hatched. Trying to think of a way to keep them safe once hatched.

Dans

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2016, 09:57:51 am »

Depends on the size of the mesh on your dog crate. It needs to be 1/2 inch - the chicks will get out through 1". (And the rats can get in, too.)

We've lost baby chicks to rats, hedgehogs, magpies and the cockerel. Oh, and a calf, when an errant chick got under a gate and got trampled. So yes, best to only let them out under supervision for the first 4 or 5 days, at least. A coop with a run - like an ark - is the usual solution. Simple to make an oblong and cover in fine mesh?

Dans · « **Reply #22 on:** June 07, 2016, 10:29:11 am »

Alright we'll test out our woodworking skills!

Dans

Bionic · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2016, 11:01:00 am »

Dans, We found that this sort of rabbit hutch worked well for our broody and chicks. Although I bought mine its a fairly simple constructions so would give you some ideas.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-triangle-rabbit-Hutch-Easipet/dp/B00BU27SUC/ref=sr_1_21?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1465293528&sr=1-21&keywords=rabbit+hutches

Dans · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2016, 01:12:38 am »

Thanks Sally! Time is so precious at the moment that we have bought one online, it should arrive tomorrow, same as the eggs. Will I be ok placing it on slabs or concrete. Feeling excited to get these eggs under her now.

Dans

Bionic · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2016, 08:48:05 am »

We had ours in the stable originally so it was on concrete, but as the chicks got a bit older and the weather was nice we moved it out onto grass.

in the hills · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2016, 03:28:55 pm »

We use a broody coop like that too. We always have ours on grass and not lost any chicks yet to rats or the like. We always lock the hen and chicks into the shut in area at night.

I read to feed the broody on corn while she is sitting as this is slower to digest meaning that she will poo less and more likely to keep the eggs clean.

Give her a day or two to make sure she is still sitting tight after you've moved her to the new pen before putting eggs under. Oh, and give her a little dust of something like diatomous earth to keep mites and lice away.Pop eggs under at night .... though my broody pekins let you put anything under them at any time,even day old chicks, they are so desperate to be mum's!

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #27 on:** June 09, 2016, 04:05:02 pm »

i just recieved the hatching eggs today, specklrd sussex. Im leaving them for 24 hrs before putting under to rest. Good tip with the corn I think I will definitely do that thanks.

Jullienne · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2016, 02:32:34 pm »

All this talk of broody hens reminds me one of mine is starting to wander off for the whole day, think I will follow her and see.

Dans · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2016, 03:05:53 pm »

Well I think I'm put off buying online. Eggs were due Weds or Thurs. No sign yesterday. i emailed and got a response this morning. The chickens haven't laid them yet! Apparently she will send when they have as she only has four.

I phoned the seller and explained I have a broody for the eggs. She assumed I was incubating. She's now sent me the four she has and two rode island reds and refunded.

Aino (the hen) is still sitting though I did see her having a dust bath this morning so she is getting herself up :-/

Dans

Broody hen - The Accidental Smallholder