Space Chick Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Grace, my LF Wyandotte, has been broody for nearly 3 weeks, with no signs of coming out of it (I have avoided the broody cage due to the weather). Once the weather improves, we are planning to use a broody to hatch some chicks, and probably use Grace as she is a bigger girl. I have noticed that Grace's face and comb have gone very very pale. Her face is almost grey. So, I am worried about using Grace to hatch, as she wouldn't have had time to get condition back after this broody episode maybe She is taking sitting breaks and eating and drinking well. So my question is, should I try and snap her out of this broody episode now, by using the broody cage in the day to give her a good break before hatching, should I leave her to it and still use her for hatching, should I leave her to it and use my Silkie or Barnebar (both prone to broodiness) for hatching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Defiantly snap her out of it now and decide who to use closer to the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Id probably try to snap her out of it Debs, its been a while and sounds like she needs a break and building up a bit. Like tom said, probably decide who nearer the time. Sorry, Im no expert Debs, just my very novice and humble opinion. Good luck with Grace, the little tinker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 A couple of days ago I'd have thought about using her, but its suddenly gone cold again (here at least) so wouldn't really want her on her own, and then have the chicks hatch in the cold. If they're prone to broodiness, maybe wait a few weeks, as it might be easier to get hatching eggs (and better quality) and it'll be a bit warmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Well Grace is now in the broody cage, but I will put her in with her sisters during the night. Lets hope she will snap out of it, and in about a month we will see who is broody and can hatch me some eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I, like the others think you should wait until later. I favour mid to late spring as being the best time for hatching. Good luck with young Grace, hope she comes out of her broodiness soon. Three weeks is long enough, but one of mine went on for six weeks, and was fine afterwards. Hatching chicks. How exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Well 4 days in the broody cage (with nights in with her sisters in the cube) was all it took to snap Grace out of her broodiness. Today she has been wandering around the garden, and playing in the run with no signs of wanting to be broody. So, she can now build herself back up again, and we'll see who will win the once in a lifetime, mystery star prize of becoming a Mum once the weather has turned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 thats good news about Grace SC Ooo, now its exiting as to who will get the honour of hatching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Phil reckons it'll be big Suze as she is a broody nightmare being a silkie. I honestly don't mind who gets the job Watch now, it'll be June and "Ooops, word censored!"ody will have gone broody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Do be aware that big girls can be clumsy so dont always make the best broodies If you realkly want this one to be 'the one' then take her aside for some separate high preotein treats once a day to get her back on track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 At the moment they are all getting mealworms every day With the cold weather and several girls in various stages of moulting, I thought they could all benefit from the protein boost Funny you should say about big girls being clumsy, during Grace's broodiness she had broken 3 Ace eggs Ok they are very thin shelled ex batt eggs but still I think big Suze may make a better Mum, but she's so small and cutesy, I still think of her as a baby, and I would worry about re-introducing her to the other girls after her maternal spell. Peri is about due for another broody spell though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 It sounds like you'll have an absolute plethora of girls to choose from there SC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Can't wait to know who will be the one. All mine have taken up their place in the pecking order as before when they have done their stint at hatching and rearing chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
