Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Midwife on May 05, 2007, 14:36

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Midwife on May 05, 2007, 14:36

Hello everyone,
 I've been lurking in the background for several months and have found this forum so helpful. I have also laughed my head off at the very witty banter. Now, I have a problem that I need some advice with. I have just returned from holiday having left my two capable daughters in charge of my four pekin hens and cockerel Clive. Three of the hens are broody together. They are stealing each others eggs and causing all sorts of commotion. Will all this egg swopping be a problem? This is my first time with  a broody hen let alone three! Thanks in advance for any advice. :D

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: WG. on May 05, 2007, 14:41

What "very witty banter"? Sure you registered on the right forum??

Welcome to the bunch MW.  A chook eggspert will be along soon, I'm sure.

Mrs Golf is also a midwife incidentally.

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Midwife on May 05, 2007, 15:18

Thank you.

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 05, 2007, 16:53

Welcome Midwife.  3 broodies out of 4  :shock:   I presume having  a cock around they are probably fertile eggs.  I haven't ever hatched eggs so can't help you much.  I think they might each need a secluded nest to incubate their eggs if you are going to allow them to.

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Midwife on May 05, 2007, 17:06

Well Aunt Sally, thats the thing. I would love to let them carry on but DH not so keen. I would feel like a baby killer if I stopped them though. I did think that a private area each would be best but have a problem with space. I have seperated them into cardboard boxes filled with shavings and straw with the front cut off. However , two of my girls are now squashed into together. They look very chummy. :lol:

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 05, 2007, 17:11

There are a few other people on this site who have hatched eggs. They might be around soon.  Have a look on this site in the mean time:

http://www.pekinbantams.com/

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Midwife on May 05, 2007, 17:41

Thank you very much.

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: mercury on May 05, 2007, 20:45

It would be much better if you can put something in front of the boxes to keep them in, then you can let them out in their turns to eat and poo :)  :)

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: Midwife on May 05, 2007, 22:21

Good idea!  :oops:
I am wondering what will happen though when a possible 13 chicks arrive.
Still i would'nt miss this for the world. I love chickens!

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: WG. on May 05, 2007, 22:43

Quote from: "Midwife"

I am wondering what will happen though when a possible 13 chicks arrive

I hope you aren't counting your chickens before ...

Title: Broody hens.
Post by: The Chicken Lady on May 08, 2007, 10:13

Bit of a busmans holiday this hatching eggs - I too am a midwife :)  I tend to separate my broodies with eggs as mums tend to be aggressive towards chicks that are not her own. I do  find though sometimes things work when rules are not followed :? However if you can part them I think it would be better for the time after hatching. Anything will do - partition in a shed, old rabbit hutch anything that you can adapt really. Good luck. I have 5 pekin batam chicks with a silkie mum at present :D