Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[jellykelly]

I selected a couple of my chooks with the fact that they tend to go broody and be good mothers.

I have an Orp and two pekins and two cochins. My orp has started laying and when she does eventually go broody, I would like to use her to hatch some eggs. However I have loads of questions, all of which I'd like to get answered before I really consider this!

 

If Camilla goes broody and I manage to put eggs under her (and all goes well) how long will she and the chicks have to be away from the rest of the flock?

 

The cockerals I would use for the table, but which breed would you suggest to hatch? I'd really like to hatch some orps or brahmas - but this may be out of the question with regards to table birds!

 

Also, as she has only just come into lay, if she were to go broody, would she still be considered too young to be a mummy?

 

If the chicken keeps the eggs all the way through, is there a chance that the chicks would get abandoned - and what set up would I need if this were case?

 

Many thanks

 

Kelly

[Daphne]

I selected a couple of my chooks with the fact that they tend to go broody and be good mothers.

I have an Orp and two pekins and two cochins. My orp has started laying and when she does eventually go broody, I would like to use her to hatch some eggs. However I have loads of questions, all of which I'd like to get answered before I really consider this!

 

If Camilla goes broody and I manage to put eggs under her (and all goes well) how long will she and the chicks have to be away from the rest of the flock? 3 weeks incubation then Mum about 6-8 weeks ish, depends when she gets fed up with them. I keep the chicks, which turn into growers, apart for as long as possible - like 16 weeks if I can manage it because I want them to have got over grower ailments and orps are slower to mature than some breeds .

 

The cockerals I would use for the table, but which breed would you suggest to hatch? I'd really like to hatch some orps or brahmas - but this may be out of the question with regards to table birds! I couldn't bring myself to do away with a brahma (wuss) but there wouldn't be much meat anyway I'm guessing. There isn't much on an orp considering its size. Sussex or Ixworth would be better

 

Also, as she has only just come into lay, if she were to go broody, would she still be considered too young to be a mummy? Personally, I don't use first season layers to brood until and unless they have convinced me they are sensible. I have found some LF orps to be clumsy broodies, and I've had a strain with a very strong broody instinct that were just too dim for motherhood. I think you have to judge each bird individually. I'm sure other people have had perfectly good success rates tho.

 

If the chicken keeps the eggs all the way through, is there a chance that the chicks would get abandoned - and what set up would I need if this were case? I have heard of Mums attacking chicks but not experienced it myself. You'd need brooding facilities, lamp etc - read up on rearing using an incy and brooder.

 

Many thanks

 

Kelly

[jellykelly]

Thankyou for your help.

 

I do want to be sure in my own mind that it'd be the right thing to do. I'd sooner have eggs hatch naturally with a broody then fuss about with incubators. However, I could be prepared once the chicks are out with electric hens etc.

It's also something that I'd only do during the summer months.

 

For me it'll just be the next step in my chicken keeping and will only be used to keep my numbers up (apart from the cockerals).