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Barnyard Buddies:  I think I have a broody hen  |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 02 2007 : 5:43:24 PM
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I think I have my first broody hen!!! She's been on the nest for four days and I was watching her this afternoon and she stood up and shuffled the eggs around and then fluffed herself over the eggs again. It was the cutest thing. I'm wondering what your experiences have been with this and if I should just let her sit for as long as she wants to see if we get chicks. I know I'm giving up some eggs. She's a buff orphington that we incubated last year. I would love some input. I don't have a brooding area, we just always raise our hatched chicks in the bathroom in a box until they are old enough to go out. I would love to hear any of your thoughts or suggestions!!
Thanks and Blessings,
missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 09:34:27 AM
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Missy-
I don't have much experience with raising chickens, but I would assume just letting her follow her instincts to hatch them is probably the best way to go. Unlss you have an incubator, then I suppose you could do the incubating yourself.
Alee |
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 11:51:25 AM
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Yeah, I, for one, would love to see Missy sitting on the nest.
love,
Patricia
check out my etsy site ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 1:22:09 PM
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| Sometimes my hens used to get broody for a while and then give up on them! Then I would take the eggs to the incubator and hatch them the rest of the way. My older chickens never used to let the little ones alone if they were hatched by the momma anyway. I am not sure if that is normal, but they were not friendly to the chicks, and sometimes even killed them. |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 2:44:36 PM
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I have heard that they can do that and then get bored with it, that's why I thought I would just wait and see. I'll keep a very close eye on her and if any chicks hatch later, I'll bring them inside to be raised in a brooding box. I'm pretty certain the older hens would probably kill the chicks.
what's funny is that I have four nesting boxes but a majority of the hens like the box that my broody hen is in now. She's letting them squeeze in there with her (which is a pretty funny sight) and I have no way of knowing which eggs are fresh?! There were 4-5 at the front of the box this morning. Would the float test work?
Thanks and Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
www.LaMargueriteFarm.com |
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Mag
True Blue Farmgirl
144 Posts
Margaret
Mount Vernon
OH
USA
144 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 7:37:18 PM
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We have had a few hens turn broody this year and they all seem to want to lay eggs in the same box. I have 4 taking turns setting on guinea hen eggs since my guinea hens are not in the least bit broody. Missy, I would suggest trying to move her and the eggs to a more private place. If you have a pet carrier or small box that would work out great. Sometimes hens can get chased off of a nest by more dominate hens and I know they do like a bit of privacy when setting. Give it 21 days from the 1st day you noticed she started to set. I have had to remove chickens from setting on eggs that are definately not fertile (our rooster lives away from the hens we use for eggs) because they started to loose breast feathers from staying so stationary all day. A broody hen is both a blessing and a problem, depending on what you want them to do. Good luck with your girl, if she does hatch out and she is like my hens she will be a fierce defender of her peeps.
take care~mag |
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Barnyard Buddies: I think I have a broody hen |
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I think I have a broody hen
