hpops Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I've got two hens that are showing signs of going broody - this has led to me thinking how lovely it would be to hatch some eggs. I've raised a chick from a few days old before - but never done the sitting on the eggs bit (I know I know - that's the chickens job!!!) How do Itell if she is broody enough to sit? Is there something I can put in the run/egg port to encourage her to sit on a clutch? I am going to buy some eggs off ebay - anyone got any advice? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Have a look **here** Have you got separate accommodation for mum and her chicks if you are successful? Have you got a clear idea about what you will do with any males that hatch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpops Posted May 7, 2008 Author Share Posted May 7, 2008 Hi yes I have separate accommodation and have read through that post a few weeks ago. I am going to try and hatch Lemon Pyle Brahma's which are quite a sought after breed. The person I'm getting the eggs from said she never has any trouble re-homing her cockerels. I'd really like to do it naturally with my (i think) broody hen rather than an incubator. But I'm not sure if she is broody enough. I have caught her on several occasions sitting on a clutch of eggs looking all puffed up. But she has not gone back to it the next day after being shut in for the night. I'm not sure she is broody enough? Is there anything I could put into the run for her to sit on so that she has constant access to it to see how long she'll sit on it for? I have got an incubator as a back up - but would love to do it the way nature intended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 How about just leaving a few eggs? Or maybe some pot eggs if you can't spare them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 The person I'm getting the eggs from said she never has any trouble re-homing her cockerels. Are you getting them from ebay or a local breeder? If it is a local breeder will she take the boys back? Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I would love to hatch some chicks but don't have the means to 'get rid' of the the boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I'm reading this with interest. We have a broody at the moment and we are talking about letting her hatch eggs next time she goes broody. We have a freind with a farm who will take the boys - funny that I'm a veggie but I dont' have a problem wtih them ending up as dinners. James' school are starting to hatch eggs in an incubator and have arranged for this chap to take the boys too. They are about to get a big coop built so they can have chickens - very exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
