Author Topic: Broody black rock - what are my chances? (Read 4028 times)

Sharondp · « **on:** August 06, 2010, 09:11:45 am »

Hi all

I have a black rock that's gone broody in the past, but I've taken the eggs away and she's given up after a couple of days. However, this time she's been a bit more persistent so I've given her 6 eggs to sit on. I know the breed aren't renowned for their model motherhood, but I was wondering if anyone had been successful with them?

I also have a buff orpie that has gone broody so she's sitting on eggs, and if the BR deserts hers I will hopefully be able to transfer them to the buff!

Sharon

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2010, 11:39:50 am »

I have had at least 3 Black Rocks which have successfully hatched chicks. The first did so inside a tyre

and only one chick eventually emerged, but she did sit for the required time, out in the wild. The second hatched 8 and they lived in my polytunnel destroying the crops for several months before she finally wandered off. The third shared a nest box with a Scots Grey and between them they hatched a grand total of two chicks. They went round as a team for weeks - two hens and two chicks - until finally the BR gave up when they were about independant. The SG gave up a couple of weeks later. So not huge success but it does show that they can sit and hatch

Sharondp · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2010, 02:33:25 pm »

That's good to know - thank you!

plumseverywhere · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2010, 02:35:22 pm »

I had one that hatched guinea fowl so had to sit a bit longer (I believe?) than normal.

she's called Chicken Tikka and is a funny little thing - she helps me dig potatoes up and is very good at it

Sharondp · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2010, 03:53:17 pm »

Bless! Have you still got the guinea fowl? Noisy things!

plumseverywhere · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2010, 04:46:58 pm »

they are aren't they?! always make scarlett cry when I take her to dom fowl trust!! no, they weren't ours - we lent tikka to sit on someone elses clutch because unlike most of my broodies, she was impossible to break out of it!! at least I know that when we do want her to sit on some eggs she'll be a good'n (hopefully!!)

Roxy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2010, 05:04:38 pm »

I saw a black rock at weekend, and she had 13 nice chicks with her, so she had a good success rate.

Sharondp · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2010, 05:23:39 pm »

13

I thought 6 was ambitious!

Roxy · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2010, 05:33:29 pm »

Oh, she had 19 - which included the 5 "adopted" copper black marans, which I bought .......super hen, eh? 6 would be a doddle for her to handle

Sharondp · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2010, 06:37:08 pm »

What a girl! She desreves a 'Mum of the Year' award!

meebh · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2010, 08:05:13 pm »

Hi

We have had 2 broodies this year with very successful hatchings and exceptional mothers and ........ they are both black rocks!!!

Supermums

Sharondp · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2010, 08:18:37 pm »

Well I candled the eggs at 12 days (sneekily while she was off having a poo!) and only 3 were fertile, so I took the three away, and I'm happy to say she has hatched the other three today - 1 Buff-O and 2 RIR's.

What a good mum!

Another BR has gone Broody so I've given her 4 RIR eggs to sit on. I also have a broody Buff-O due to hatch 4 on Monday. All go here!