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Barnyard Buddies:  My Poor Broody Hen  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 6:07:39 PM
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I am so sad. I noticed a few weeks ago one of my Buffs was going broody. I would have to chase her off an empty nest every day. I finally decided a few days ago to go ahead and put 6 eggs under her. Well, today I was walking down to get the mail and noticed a hen in the middle stall sitting on some loose hay. I went to go see if it was the broody hen. I went in and saw feathers all over and all the eggs were broken. I thought the hen I saw was that hen. I counted them all tonight when I was feeding them and there were only 11 Buff hens. So something got her. It's so sad. I am now down to just 11 of the Buffs. I started last spring with 16. Poor thing. It's just awful for a broody hen because they will not leave the eggs in the nest and end up being killed.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 6:45:53 PM
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Sorry to hear that, Kristin. I have always dreamed of having chickens, but am afraid I would get too attached, and we have so much wildlife here that would get them.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 9:08:09 PM
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That is so sad Kris. I hate it when any animal dies.
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2010 : 06:03:17 AM
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Well, this morning I counted all 12 hens! So apparently she baled the ship. Good for her. I am so happy to see all 12. I counted several times to make sure. I thought I had counted 12 at one time last night. I guess I did. But you know how fast chickens can move especially when food is involved. They are like magic. So I'm glad she's ok. I really don't see a hen that looks like she has lost about half her feathers though. But Buffs are really fluffy birds.
Thanks for all the well wishes, girls. I am ok with losing the eggs. I was wishing I had not put them under her after I had done it. I really don't want any more right now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2010 : 06:04:40 AM
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Nicole, you should go ahead and get some anyway. They are fun to have around and the eggs are great. I have lost alot over the years but you do eventually get over it and realize it's just part of the farm life.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2010 : 07:40:27 AM
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I'm glad for the happy ending Kristin! Just sorry about the eggs.
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2010 : 05:54:38 AM
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Well, she's at it again. In the same place but on a different nest. As if that will confuse the horrible preditor. I am not going to put any more eggs under her. And she is not laying any while she's broody. I guess I'll just keep chasing her off the nest? How long does it take for them to stop this?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2010 : 06:03:15 AM
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rollercoaster emotions here..... *gasp* so sorry you lost your hen .......*hooray* so glad she's back!!!
I don't know of a sure way of getting them "un-broody". I have one buff that is absolutely useless for half the year. Once she's broody I can't snap her out of it. I chase her from the nest daily. It also worries me because she stops eating and drinking while she's broody....which is normal for a hen that will sit for 23 days but not for one that just keeps sitting.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2010 : 06:26:16 AM
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Well that's just great. Thanks for the info. Now I don't know what to do. Maybe put her in a cage for protection with a bunch of eggs and sell the chicks when they hatch. I could do that I guess. I have empty cages and water and feed jars. And she's be safe in a cage. I could move her back to the goat barn, too. I might as well put her to good use if she's not going to stop any time soon.
I know about those emotions. There's always something though around here.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2010 : 07:11:51 AM
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If you put her in the cage where she cant see the nest for a few days that should do the trick. When you let her out she will likely not be broody any more.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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MrsDirtDoctor
True Blue Farmgirl
165 Posts
Hallowell
Maine
USA
165 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2010 : 10:56:09 AM
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| People use the term "chicken" so derogatory...if only people knew how brave they really are! I'll be happy to be called a chicken any day! |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2010 : 12:17:30 PM
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Shayna, what do you mean? I have been thinking about this since I saw it.
And I am still chasing that hen off a nest. She has moved into the cat room where I have a few nesters in there. She had taken over the favorite one where about 5 hens laid their eggs. Now I get none because of silly hen.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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MrsDirtDoctor
True Blue Farmgirl
165 Posts
Hallowell
Maine
USA
165 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 07:19:43 AM
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| Broody hens would die for their young. The word chicken is used as someone being afraid, I can assure you that broody hen was No chicken..well, not in the sense most people use it |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 05:03:11 AM
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This hen will just not give up. I had to move her in the crate to the garage because she's stopped the rest of the hens from laying eggs in the other crate now. So I might put a few eggs under her again. She should be better protected in the garage. Then maybe I can put her and the chicks back out in the front hen house.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Barnyard Buddies: My Poor Broody Hen |
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My Poor Broody Hen
