Broody Hen??

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 6:40 am

Okay all you knowledgable folk in chicken land...yesterday one of my trusty Rocks sat the day on the nest...MJ couldn't go near her...feathers up..screech and squawk when we go near...she WILL peck and bite HARD...went out this morning, hasn't moved...thinking there are at least three eggs under her...I've been watching since he arrived, and BB King ( sorry, OC ) hasn't been the most amorous of birds so i doubt the eggs are fertile, although one never knows....I've never had a broody hen before so now what?... Its all kinda interesting tho

Post by **Killerbunny** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 7:41 am

Get fertile eggs from OC and put them under. Only give her maybe 6. If she sticks great if not keep an incy on hand. She will get up once a day (less in the last week) to eat and

. She will be very cranky with the other birds and do what I call "mantling" with her wings. After about a week separate her to a private are if you can. Then you enjoy Mum and babies.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:04 am

Yes, sounds like a broody! They get all puffed up and cluck. I'm very lucky, the cornish broodies I have protest but don't peck at me. I agree with KB, switch out the eggs from underneath her (it's easier at night time). A good broody is great, set it and forget it! Voila chicks.

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:12 am

Trouble is, i can't house more birds...ugh...coop building in my very very near future

Post by **Killerbunny** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:33 am

Well she'll look after them for about 6 weeks or so (some of mine keep them to 10 weeks). SO you have lots of time!

Post by **WLLady** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:44 am

if the other birds have access to other nesting boxes you can probably just leave her where she is. i have one clogging a nest right now, same thing. broody for sure...but there are 8 other boxes, and she'll just stay there....mine won't be going to hatch though (she will be travelling to guelph and hopefully staying broody on the way-going to try anyways), but i have had hens brood right in the coop with everyone else. biggest issue is my cat that hunts mice in the coop thinks the little ones are mice....so i have to keep the cat out....none of the other chickens cared, and the mom did a great job with the kids, and the kids stayed close to mom. you will need a chick feeder though and a waterer they can drink out of once they hatch....
oh, if the eggs aren't fertilized, get some that are and just switch them out in the dark at night gently. she will never know....

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:49 am

Hmmm... I wonder if MJ will kill me if I try to hatch more eggs... Guess I'll go looking for some hatching eggs

Post by **Killerbunny** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:53 am

See, that was easy! Actually I have 2 broodies ATM in with the others.

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 12:22 pm

I like "BB King", Wyandottes are very discreet so you never know,
There are 6 Ameraucana eggs here for you, for the taking, throw in 6 BB King's possibles for a good measure, what have you got to loose, hatch 10ish, half will be BBQs anyway and you can always find room for 3 extra layers.
And really Tom, 6 weeks is plenty of time to throw together a grow out pen.
Don't tell MJ I said that.