sunshinesupernova Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I've got two hens broody at the moment. Piffle went broody about a week ago. Henrietta has been broody for 8 weeks and just WON'T give up. I chuck Henrietta out several times a day and she'll eat, drink and have a dust bath - then go back and sit on nothing ! Soppiest, lovliest chicken and I hate to see her moping. I bought some table bird eggs and sat Piffle on them middle of the week. One of the eggs had a hairline crack and the shell was thin, so I only sat her on the 11 good ones. Piffle has taken to them and all seems ok so far. I sat Henrietta on 10 yesterday as I figured I may as well let her try and hatch something.... She's a very happy henny now she's got a clutch of eggs ! I'd concerns that she won't sit another 3 weeks, but she SO wants to sit that I thoguht it was worth giving her a go They are all table bird eggs (Hubbard hens running with Hubbard, Hubbard x Ixworth and Hubbard x Indian Game cockrells) and I'll have a couple of empty stables to house them when any babies are old enough to come away from mum. We've never had table birds before, but I've had plenty of advice from the people I got the eggs from. I really really don't want to "do the deed" myself - but I do have three people lined up that are happy to "assist" when the time comes. As the eggs are from various unrelated hens and cockrells, I'm intending trying to keep back a couple of hens and a cockrell so we can perhaps rear some more next time. IF not, well - they'll all be for the pot. I'm looking forward to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Good luck with the hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Good luck Photos would be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Good luck with the eggs! I would recommend that as Henrietta's already been broody for a long time, you keep a close eye on her. Broodies lose condition very quickly and are a magnet to red mite, which can kill them. So be sure she's eating and drinking, and dust her for red mite if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted June 2, 2009 Author Share Posted June 2, 2009 I dusted Henrietta before I sat her on the eggs. Piffle is doing very well with hers. Henrietta has kicked 7 eggs out the nest (they got freezing cold overnight so no longer viable). She then ate two and remains sat on one ! Whether it has any chance, who knows... .but hopefully now she is sat on an egg - if nothing happens she may give up. I'm not entirely hopeful that she'll hatch it. I phoned and put an order in for some chicks to run on given the best I can expect from Henrietta is one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 You could put day old chicks under her instead??? Atleast you would then get some chicks and she wont get in a terrible state? Good luck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I was told elsewhere that if I do that, the hen is likely to kill them ? I was given 6 fertilised turkey eggs this morning by my neighbour. I've just given them to her and she took them as fast as she could and stuffed them underneath her. She's only been sat on the egg she had since the weekend At least she is coming out to eat etc - so I'm no too worried about her at the moment. If this doesnt work, can I give here day old chicks ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
