[Icklemonkey]

I'm looking for some advice!  We have very recently lost one of our hens - we had 3 in total 

One of our remaining hens is broody and I'm now starting to wonder whether we should get some fertilised eggs for her to hatch having just lost one of them.  Because we only have 2 hens now though, is it ok to seperate our broody hen to let her sit and leave the other hen on her own?  Also, what happens if the broody one hatches some cockerels?  We can't keep cockerels where we live and I don't like the idea of having them culled.  Are there people out there that take on 'unwanted' cockerels?

[joyfull]

very few most get eaten and sometimes these get used as bait for cock fighting  .
I would suggest you go for a couple of point of lays from a reputable breeder - kepp them in quarrenteen for a couple of weeks and then introduce them slowly. In the meantime keep moving the broody hen out of the nest box and eventually she will get the idea 

[Pretty Chick]

Also, what happens if the broody one hatches some cockerels?  We can't keep cockerels where we live and I don't like the idea of having them culled.  Are there people out there that take on 'unwanted' cockerels?

I'm not sure if there are MANY people who will take cockerels to keep, unfortunately  .
I often see the same ads of 'cockerels free to good homes' in animal/pet shops for sometimes even over a month.
I guess it could depend on the breed though.

Besides, the other hen probably feels lonely without the constant company of her hen friend  

[lisa80]

what about hatching a utility bird like light sussex? the boys are good meat birds if you feel up to the deed,or you could sell them as meat birds .Im not very keen myself but always have plenty of takers

[dizzylizzie]

When my broody sat like an angel, one of her chicks died at pipping stage so i bought day old sexlinked chicks for her. I bought a welsummer and a marren so i knew they were girls. The broody took to them like her own and i didnt have any difficult decisions to make about cockerels

[Icklemonkey]

Well I think we've made a decision!  I really don't like the idea of what we would have to do if we had a cockerel so going for some young hens sounds like the sensible option! How old are they when they're ready for a new home?  Hopefully my broody girl will play Mum to them?!

I'm so pleased I found this site, thank you for your help! x