Broodies on the Homestead

[Beekissed]

Bee, we've got our first broodie sitting on eggs right now. We're expecting chicks Saturday or Sunday. This is this hens first time, so we're hoping she makes a good mom. How old were your chicks before you let them go outside?

I let them go out anywhere from 3 days to a week, depending on the weather and what's going on in the maternity ward.

Chicks without a mama go out at 2 wks.

 

[sumi]

Good news -- my last preg goat had trips about midnight. All is well. ( 2 doe/1 buck) It's been a busy day.

That's awesome, congrats on the new kids!

 

[sumi]

DS' little game hen went missing yesterday and I'm suspecting (and hoping like mad) that she went broody on a hidden nest somewhere We haven't been able to find out where she's laying and she is prone to broodiness. We're keeping an eye out, hoping she will show up, so I can catch her and put her somewhere safe. In that case I will find her some fertile eggs to hatch and in a better place.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Uh on - hope she turns up and you can get her some eggs!

 

[sumi]

No sign of her yet. DS is anxious, I'm hoping and praying We're keeping an eye out for her constantly, I even left the backdoor open, knowing her, she will come inside if she comes, demanding food. I was out most of the day yesterday, so I have no idea when she disappeared, or when she may show herself, if she's hiding out there somewhere.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Broody hens can be extremely helpful. I just now saw this thread and want to share this article from nearly two years ago! We used a broody hen to hatch ducklings for two years straight.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/hatching-with-a-surrogate-hen-zbcz1608

I was blessed to also have it published in GRIT's most recent edition of Guide to Backyard Chickens (7th Edition I believe it was!)

https://www.grit.com/store/product/grit-guide-to-backyard-chickens-7th-edition

I do however want to ask if anyone here has had a problem with hens eating the eggs, or waiting until they hatch to consume the young. Our second year, this happened to almost all of the dozen eggs she had under her.

 

[sumi]

Broodies can be unpredictable like that. I had an old hen go broody and the one chick we managed to rescue from her or the rest of the flock killing, she rejected. She went broody again about 3 years later and she was a wonderful mom second time round.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What a broody mess, lol! Glad you got it kinda, sorta, mostly sorted out! Chicken can be such a pia, lol!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Farming ain't for the faint of heart.

Agree!

 

[sumi]

Our broody seems happy (or resigned?) with the relocated nest, but the moment she gets a gap, she's out and on her original nest. She's talkative when I check on her to feed and top up her water, with the usual broody Godzilla in-between. I'd like to get her some fertile eggs to hatch, but I need to know she's 100% sure about this, not just toying with the idea of brooding. I don't like the idea of keeping her caged up for the duration, which is what I have to do at the moment.