Hi, I am new to raising chickens and am wondering do I let them keep setting (without eggs) or is there something I can do to encourage them to not set.
We have a couple of hens that get broody (wanting to set). We just keep taking the eggs and eventually they get bored and decide they're missing the goodies the other girls are getting by running around the yard. When we WANT them to set, we just leave them with the eggs. I LOVE our chickens. Sometimes I'll just watch them and giggle at their antics. Have fun with them!!!
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I'm new at having hens that do get broody. My bantams have been doing so off and on the last 6 months. I finally left some of their eggs under them and when I got back from the BBB fair I have a new baby bantam. My other hen won't let me see what's under her, but its really exciting as I usually buy them in the stores in spring. Have fun with yours.
Hi, I know my hens like children. Some make wonderful moms and some just don't. Some would have a nest of eggs and one day just up and walk away from it not giving it another thought. I started reading and saw even some breeds make better moms. Anyway if I had a hen that got broodie with no eggs or one I did not want just sitting I read to put her in a cage and hang the cage up off the ground. This breaks their sitting cycle and in a couple days she just goes off with the other hens when freed. If not put her back in the cage for a bit more. It also said to chuck some ice cold water on them and it would shock them out of the cycle. The cage trick worked for mine so I just drank the ice water myself and we were both happy. You can lose a lot of eggs if you have hens just sitting around on air. Also if I knew the sitting hen was a bad mom I'd take her eggs and put them under another hen and put her in a cage. Never was I so shocked to see a couple baby chicks just laying dead by the barn. I sat out watching thinking my cat might have done it only to see the mom hen for not reason just turn on a chick and peck it in the back of the head. It would kill it instantly and she'd just walk away. I took her chicks to care for myself and she went into the Chicken and Dumplings for dinner. In no time you'll learn from doing. Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them.
Hi Terces and welcome to the forum! These gals are so smart and helpful here. I haven't taken care of chickens since I was a kid on the farm and I sure miss them. If my city lot was bigger I could have 4 hens but dang it my yard is the size of a postage stamp :( Enjoy your chickens!
Setting chickens
Posted - Jul 09 2009 : 07:08:49 AM
