[frenchliving]

I think around December/jan this year one of my hens went missing we then found her with 8 baby chicks! She has since then sat and produced another chick around 5th may, hes still a baby but she has started leaving him, yesterday she vanished again, Ive looked in various areas of the garden to see if shes broody again but it all seems abit quick for me?? My Son said he thinks a hen had a fight with a magpie yesterday??? Perhaps she was protecting her chick?? Anybody else any ideas what could have happened?? She a small cream legbar type bantam hen?? Luckily the chick has sided with Dad and its warm here so hopefully he should be ok overnight now!

Thanks

[ANHBUC]

Broodies will sometimes leave their chicks when they are around 6 weeks old.  One of my broodies started laying again when her chicks were 5 weeks old. 

[frenchliving]

Thanks ANHBUC, going to have a real good look around the garden then to see if I can find her hiding with eggs somewhere! And take a walk down the path where son said he saw the magpie fight!!

[ANHBUC]

If you usually use a treats bag/tin you could try using that but if she is fully broody even an earthquake wouldn't make her move.   

[frenchliving]

cant find her anywhere??? Ive looked behind stuff around the garden in case shes hiding/broody! We have had some hot weather here 32 degrees and although wet now still very warm so Im worried about her being thirsty?? I was hoping to see her around! I have another 2 who are broody too!!! When does this broody lark stop! haha No more eggs for me for a while :-(

How did you batch of eggs get on AnhBuc??

[ANHBUC]

My first incubation wasn't brilliant, but I have put some quail eggs in to try.  Five did hatch so they are with my Broody Dotty, some pictures on HERE.  The quail eggs Dotty was sat on were getting squashed so I put them in the incubator with the other eggs and the six that were left hatched.  Pictures HERE.

I hope your hen turns up with a brood in tow.   

[frenchliving]

Your chicks are so cute ANHBUC, you do a great job! Love the quail ones, never thought of keeping them before!!!

Still no sign of hen :-( but on a better note, I have two girls that are sitting :-)

[ANHBUC]

Thanks, have got another 9 chicks now from my other broody Cilla!

I am over in France at the beginning of September so could sneak you some quails over.   

[frenchliving]

Found her!!! well at least she found the food bowl, shes obviously broody and hiding somewhere just got to find out where, shes very protective even attacked the dog!!! couldn't believe it after id given up hope! :-)

where are you coming in France?? Weather is finally picking up!!

[ANHBUC]

That is good news, she is obviously a good broody in finding a safe hiding place if you can't find it.

We going to the Dordogne for one week then not sure for the second.   

[frenchliving]

im just below the Dordogne border!! close to Monflanquin, its beautiful, lots to do, you'll have a fab time! Weather around 27 next week :-) pop in if your missing your girls ;-)

[ANHBUC]

im just below the Dordogne border!! close to Monflanquin, its beautiful, lots to do, you'll have a fab time! Weather around 27 next week :-) pop in if your missing your girls ;-)

It was on our first trip to France including the Dordogne region that I fell in love with the thought of having chickens.  It only took me about 15 years to get around to getting some!  Really looking forward to our trip, we are with friends for the first week, they are chicken keepers as well. 

[frenchliving]

I think most people are here! have a great trip! whose going to manage all the posts whilst your away ;-)

[Beetroot queen]

I think most people are here! have a great trip! whose going to manage all the posts whilst your away ;-)

Were all going to be very good and post exactly where and what we should ..................






NOT 

[ANHBUC]

I am new to it myself and there is a whole team looking after all of the site.  Nearly everything I have leant from Moderators and members on here and a little from books so you are all in very good hands.