Time to watch how the pros do it
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 9:35 pm
Thanks to Harvey Ussery's book I believe I've identified a broody hen in our flock. I quickly slapped together a brooding box for her, gave her exclusive domain over a portion of the coop with fresh pine shavings and will leave her undisturbed with her own feed and water. I waited until dark, pet her awhile in the community nest box then carefully lifted her out of the nest and placed her in her new nest box in the brooder. 3 toasty eggs were in her original nest box which I placed under her. I pushed my luck by including 5 eggs from another nest box left by other hens today. I think they can manage 12 eggs so I'll settle for 8 in a clutch and if she feels up to it she can add more. That was very cool, she let me pick her up and place her in her new nest and the whole time I was prepared to feel a beak through my hand but not drop her! The hen was strangely stiff, low and flat like a saucer and the whole time she made low purring noises until I set her in the new nest. Now the test is to see if the fancy Brinsea 56 EX can keep up with mother nature; my money is on Mom. I tell you homesteading endeavours can be downright crushingly stressful then other times it is so awe inspiring I wouldn't trade it for anything.
