[Oakdalebirds]

  OK why have 3 of my hens who by the way have just finished growing back new feathers decided that in this freezing cold and snow(on its way)laden days n nights to go Broody yes Broody and as i have stated at the same time............ I tell ya 

Why on earth has mother nature sent these girls a message saying "Do it now" just when i thought things were back to normal.

I keep on taking them off the nest's , which in this weather is not a fun thing to do as its freezingand as yet no result.

Not really a topic just a moan

[jinty1911]

Mine are the same. They have been taking it in turns to go broody and they are still only babies but take it vey very seriously.  They take turns each every 3 weeks like clock work. Am starting to think the dunking bums in cold water, as recommended, doesn't work as I lift who ever happens to be the broody girl out of house and they quite happily sit in the snow.
Such is life (if you're a broody chicken).  :happy:  :happy:
Jinty

[8doubles]

If you were a hen and there were no flies to chase, no worms to dig and you had cold feet would you pretend to be broody?
A crop full of food and stay in bed makes sense.
Penguins are the only birds that normally  lay eggs in this temperature.

[jinty1911]

I dont let mine stay in bed.  They all are out, broody or not.  House is closed so bein broody is no excuse. My step-son on the other hand is not broody in the slightest but still manages to stay in bed til lunch time!!
Jinty

[bluemaran]

My partridge wyndotte went broody about 6weeks ago so iput some eggs under her and she has hatched 2 good cuckoo maran chicks that are running with all the others

[jinty1911]

Thats great  Am thinking about hatching a few next spring.  If my 3 are all broody at the same time, can I give them a couple of eggs each to sit on? and can they all sit in the same house?
Jinty

[min200]

Been to a friends this afternoon and one of his seramas is sitting on 7 eggs
Might be a bit nippy for the chicks if they arrive though!

[Oakdalebirds]

Thats what i thought (to cold for chicks) which is why im trying to get them off......

But then i suppose they would be in lay by summer so more eggs!!

[min200]

Saying that Ive just put some eggs in my new incubator but if they hatch the chicks will be iside for quite a while!

[jinty1911]

What breed are your birds?
Jinty

[bluemaran]

Themother hen is keeping the chicks warm,even in the minus 10s were having.Isuppose you just have too watch how many you give her to keep warm.They are in a bottom less rabbit hutch in the main run which is divided so only the chicks can get the one end where the food and water is,but can get to the mom and the straw at night.Works well.

[min200]

What breed are your birds?
Jinty

This batch of eggs are light sussex bantams but I have Jubilee Orpingtons, Orpingtons, a couple of Marsh Daisies and a polish bantam!

Whats your brood?

[bluemaran]

Have 2 warrens,3 L/F welsummers,2 partridge wyndotte hens & a cockerel, 1 welsummer bantam,5 cuckoo marans & a cockerel, 3 Quail and 2 cuckoo maran chicks

[jinty1911]

What breed are your birds?
Jinty

This batch of eggs are light sussex bantams but I have Jubilee Orpingtons, Orpingtons, a couple of Marsh Daisies and a polish bantam!

Whats your brood?

The broody girls are Light Sussex/Silkies so they just want to be mummies.  Just dont know if I can give them a couple eggs each to sit on?  Will it be happy families or WW3?
Jinty

[min200]

Worth a try eh!