Phosphorus Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 just wondering if I should be prepared with a heat lamp and a cardboard box, in case I am actually lucky and some eggs hatch but that I am unlucky and Gemma decides to abandon her chicks Is that at all likely? I think I remember someone saying that broody hens sometimes abandon eggs but not the hatched chicks Does that sound probable that if the eggs hatch she will be a natural mum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Our broody hen was fantastic. The dedication they show is amazing. She literally did not move off the eggs unless we picked her up. The minute they hatched she was there and was for about 8 months afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 After one of my Wheaten Marans snapping out of her broodiness, the other one has gone broody. I was thinking about either putting some of the eggs from the incy under her on day 18 (Monday) or newly hatched chicks under her at night.....BUT.....just read on Practical Poultry forum that a girl went to her work yesterday and came back to a nest containing only a chicks feet and back bone.......the broody had eaten the rest . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 *lynsey puts down her breakfast* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 *lynsey puts down her breakfast* Sorry to laugh I was feeling quite repulsed until I read your reply there and then couldn't help but laugh....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Sorry Lynsey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Dear me! I guess that answers P's question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Sorry Lynsey that's ok fee, I eat too much anyway lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 If you had a box or storage box and a light fitting with a red glowlight bulb, you won't go far wrong. It could help if you get a chick which is ill or being bullied or something like that. But hopefully she'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 Dear me! I guess that answers P's question! Seen that post on as well Someone has now offered me a infra red lamp to use if necessary. Hoping won't be necessary and that she will be the perfect mum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Generally speaking, they are fine. There are odd exceptions though as Fee has said. Usually any problems manifest early on when they refuse to sit on the eggs. Two of mine are great mums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 Update on the broody hen mentioned above that had eaten a hatched chick - there was a reason. The broody hen died today, when owner moved her, the nest was full of mites so had been attacking hen. A suggestion on was that hen had known it was not a good place for a chick to be so had killed the chick - unfortunately nature taking its course. A lesson for us all on the importance of keeping out an eye for red mite on broody hens especially Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Aw, how sad, looks like she ate another one too......I wonder if nature was telling her she wouldn't be around to care for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Goodness! This is something worth remembering. How dreadful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Aw, how sad, looks like she ate another one too......I wonder if nature was telling her she wouldn't be around to care for them It goes from bad to worse - an egg out of the clutch transferred from said hen to another broody hatched and was promptly attacked by that hen Not sure quite what was going on there? Suggestion was that maybe the new broody sensed the smell of the other broody on the new chick - not sure about that, doesn't make much sense to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 ......and she said she left it to die as she just couldn't cull it . All sounds a bit strange.......and to add to that, someone else on same forum has just found 2 big healthy chicks dead next to her broody......I think my Lulu is going to be without babies, I'm not taking the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 ......and she said she left it to die as she just couldn't cull it . All sounds a bit strange.......and to add to that, someone else on same forum has just found 2 big healthy chicks dead next to her broody......I think my Lulu is going to be without babies, I'm not taking the chance. Mine are due to hatch under a broody from Friday onwards I think I will risk it and see what happens, I don't have an incy (at the moment ). Hopefully it will not all go wrong, but if it does then I will know for next time. I have an offer of a heat lamp if I need one from a member in a nearby village - hoping I won't need it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 The broody that had the two dead chicks under her now has 5 or so live ones that have just hatched with no problems. Possibly something was wrong with those other two even though they looked healthy but should restore our faith in broodies now fee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 The broody that had the two dead chicks under her now has 5 or so live ones that have just hatched with no problems. Possibly something was wrong with those other two even though they looked healthy but should restore our faith in broodies now fee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 to add to that, someone else on same forum has just found 2 big healthy chicks dead next to her broody......I think my Lulu is going to be without babies, I'm not taking the chance. The broody that had the two dead chicks under her now has 5 or so live ones that have just hatched with no problems. Possibly something was wrong with those other two even though they looked healthy but should restore our faith in broodies now fee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
