catherinej Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 Hi all, I successfully hatched chicks with my broody pekin last year and she is broody again this year. I really want to do it again however, I am due to go on holiday 25th may. This means that if I order eggs for her now, the chicks will only be approx 2 weeks old when we go away! I do have a friend who will look after them for me but im just a bit worried about leaving them. The alternative is that I wait until I get back off hols, however, this means Dot staying broody for almost 3 months in total. This is what we did last year and by the time the eggs hatched Dot didn't look in the best of health as she will only get off the nest for food & water if you force her! She did recover quickly and looked after the chicks fantastically though. Any advice welcome please as I just don't know what to do for the best! Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 I'd break her from her broodiness. Its not ideal not to be around when the chicks are young, being a Pekin it wont be long before she is broody again She needs to be in tip top condition to brood so break her broodiness and let her get ready for the next bout! please do be careful of falling in to the trap of setting eggs just because a hen is broody, I dont mean to sound harsh here but its how so many unwanted cockerels end up breaking owners hearts each year Some help on breaking a broody here viewtopic.php?f=42&t=52446 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 One of my Pekins has gone broody. I've just put her in the broody cage. She is not best pleased. Notice her companion Pipaluk stealing her food. I move the broody cage into the WIR at night. This is her second day in it, and already I can see an improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
