Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: nic_28 on June 09, 2012, 12:46

Title: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: nic_28 on June 09, 2012, 12:46
I have a buff orp who has been broody for about 5 days. I have let her sit on some eggs as I was hoping to hatch some. I have some silver laced orp eggs coming on Monday, and I wondered how long miss buff would sit on the eggs. Is there a chance shell know the 21 days are up, as shes been on eggs already for 5 days and walk off the eggs? Or will she instinctively know to sit there until she has chicks? I have made a solid broody box for her and make sure she's eating and drinking and don't put her back until she's done her smelly poop! Any more advice on keeping her healthy and general info would be great. Nic x
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: JaK on June 09, 2012, 13:03
She should stay sitting and will know that her eggs are developing. My broody Brahma was broody for a week before I gave in and got her some eggs. Hers are hatching this weekend and she has sat tight the whole time.  :D
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: joyfull on June 09, 2012, 13:05
do not put the new eggs in with the older ones - they are too far apart. You need either an incubator or another broody for them. As for the broody and the original eggs she will stay with them losing condition and getting thinner until they hatch - day 21 is just an average they can hatch over several days.
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: nic_28 on June 09, 2012, 13:10
do not put the new eggs in with the older ones - they are too far apart. You need either an incubator or another broody for them. As for the broody and the original eggs she will stay with them losing condition and getting thinner until they hatch - day 21 is just an average they can hatch over several days.
.   Oh the eggs she's on just now are not fertilised. I do worry about her condition though, is thre a high energy feedor something I can give her?
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: joyfull on June 09, 2012, 13:13
oh in which case if she is still broody then yes pop the eggs under her. Just keep feeding her layers until the chicks start to hatch  :)
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: JaK on June 09, 2012, 13:50
Giving her corn will help a lot too.
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: Jo57 on June 09, 2012, 14:42
Mo was broody for over a week when I gave in and got eggs for her. She sat the whole time eating layers and corn and drinking if I moved her or put it close. I had to clean up too a few times as she was so reluctant to move. She has now been mothering 4 lively chicks for 2 weeks and seems fine, eating well and very attentive to them and sharing the chick crumb. Good luck!
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: nic_28 on June 09, 2012, 15:50
Great advice everybody! No doubt I'll b on here daily once the eggs have arrived! I'm so excited to see these pretty chickens!
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: joyfull on June 09, 2012, 17:04
remember to let the eggs stand for 24 hours before they go under the broody especially if they are coming through the post.
Title: Re: Hatching from broody help please!!!
Post by: nic_28 on June 10, 2012, 13:21
remember to let the eggs stand for 24 hours before they go under the broody especially if they are coming through the post.
.    Ok will do that, can I ask why?