Comments on: How To Encourage A Hen To Go Broody http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/ An Australian family choosing to go green Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:11:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-80911 Darren Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:05:21 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-80911 <p>@Lauren: It's not strictly true. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. In particular, older heritage breeds are generally better, and modern hybrids have had the broodiness bred out of them (as it reduces productivity in a commercial environment). In my experience chicks raised by a mother hen are better foragers, and make better mothers themselves, but I haven't noticed that they're more likely to go broody than incubated chicks.</p> @Lauren: It’s not strictly true. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. In particular, older heritage breeds are generally better, and modern hybrids have had the broodiness bred out of them (as it reduces productivity in a commercial environment). In my experience chicks raised by a mother hen are better foragers, and make better mothers themselves, but I haven’t noticed that they’re more likely to go broody than incubated chicks.

]]> By: Lauren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-79287 Lauren Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:14:41 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-79287 <p>Thanks Darren! I've heard that any breed will go broody if they weren't born or aren't from a hatchery... do you know if that is true???</p> Thanks Darren! I’ve heard that any breed will go broody if they weren’t born or aren’t from a hatchery… do you know if that is true???

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-79286 Darren Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:11:03 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-79286 <p>@Colleen: The mother will start to ignore the ducklings soon, and leave them to fend for themselves - when that happens, she'll start laying again.</p> @Colleen: The mother will start to ignore the ducklings soon, and leave them to fend for themselves – when that happens, she’ll start laying again.

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-79285 Darren Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:08:48 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-79285 <p>@Lauren: Yes, putting a few fake eggs (or even golf balls!) in a nest is a good way to encourage a hen to go broody. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others - in general the heritage breeds are quite good and the modern hybrids aren't. People recommend silkies all the time as mothers, but I've had three and none of them ever went broody. I had Brahmas, and they were very good - they're big, too, so they can cover more eggs than most other breeds.</p> @Lauren: Yes, putting a few fake eggs (or even golf balls!) in a nest is a good way to encourage a hen to go broody. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others – in general the heritage breeds are quite good and the modern hybrids aren’t. People recommend silkies all the time as mothers, but I’ve had three and none of them ever went broody. I had Brahmas, and they were very good – they’re big, too, so they can cover more eggs than most other breeds.

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-79221 Colleen Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:15:44 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-79221 <p>Hi Darren, So now I am wondering when my adult ducks will start laying again? The ducklings are 8 weeks old and I can mostly tell the difference between males and females, but no duck eggs since they started to brood. Thanks for all the info. Colleen</p> Hi Darren, So now I am wondering when my adult ducks will start laying again? The ducklings are 8 weeks old and I can mostly tell the difference between males and females, but no duck eggs since they started to brood. Thanks for all the info. Colleen

]]> By: Lauren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-78876 Lauren Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:27:15 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-78876 <p>Also, do you know what breeds of chickens are best to go broody. I have heard that Silkies and New Hampshire chickens are good chickens to go broody. Thanks, Lauren</p> Also, do you know what breeds of chickens are best to go broody. I have heard that Silkies and New Hampshire chickens are good chickens to go broody. Thanks, Lauren

]]> By: Lauren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-78758 Lauren Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:43:28 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-78758 <p>Hi. I have 9 hens and 1 rooster. I have been wanting one of them to go broody. One of my neighbors chickens is going broody, I think (they share a coop with us). It is sitting on the fake eggs plus a few real eggs. Is that a good way to make the hens go broody, putting fake eggs in one of the nests? Thanks, Lauren</p> Hi. I have 9 hens and 1 rooster. I have been wanting one of them to go broody. One of my neighbors chickens is going broody, I think (they share a coop with us). It is sitting on the fake eggs plus a few real eggs. Is that a good way to make the hens go broody, putting fake eggs in one of the nests? Thanks, Lauren

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-72138 Darren Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:55:56 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-72138 <p>@Colleen: Hi! I'm not very good at telling muscovies apart yet - they're not like all the other breeds of ducks. The males will start to get bigger than the females now that they're 4 weeks old, and it'll be noticeable by the time they hit 6 weeks. Looking at their bodies, the males will be a bit longer and have bigger feet and thicker legs. The females will be more petite. Keep watching them, and you should start seeing some differences soon!</p> @Colleen: Hi! I’m not very good at telling muscovies apart yet – they’re not like all the other breeds of ducks. The males will start to get bigger than the females now that they’re 4 weeks old, and it’ll be noticeable by the time they hit 6 weeks. Looking at their bodies, the males will be a bit longer and have bigger feet and thicker legs. The females will be more petite. Keep watching them, and you should start seeing some differences soon!

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-71389 Colleen Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:10:00 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-71389 <p>Hi again Darren, I was wondering if you could give me any advice on sexing my 12 muscovy ducklings. They will be 4 weeks this weekend and I have people that are looking for males or females. I have read a little about size and body shape, but so far I really don't see any difference. Any ideas? Thanks, Colleen.</p> Hi again Darren, I was wondering if you could give me any advice on sexing my 12 muscovy ducklings. They will be 4 weeks this weekend and I have people that are looking for males or females. I have read a little about size and body shape, but so far I really don’t see any difference. Any ideas? Thanks, Colleen.

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-66197 Colleen Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:13:05 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-66197 <p>So we have 12 beautiful yellow ducklings and both moms are very attentive. The cutest little things ever!</p> So we have 12 beautiful yellow ducklings and both moms are very attentive. The cutest little things ever!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-65602 Darren Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:53:52 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-65602 <p>@Colleen: That's great news! Ducklings are gorgeous, aren't they?</p> @Colleen: That’s great news! Ducklings are gorgeous, aren’t they?

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-65520 Colleen Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:11:04 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-65520 <p>Hi again Darren, Just wanted to let you know that the muscoy ducklings have started to hatch. We started with 18 eggs and so far we have 6 hatched and 4 more working their way out(we lost 2 eggs out of the nest). Thanks again for your advice. It's very exciting! Colleen</p> Hi again Darren, Just wanted to let you know that the muscoy ducklings have started to hatch. We started with 18 eggs and so far we have 6 hatched and 4 more working their way out(we lost 2 eggs out of the nest). Thanks again for your advice. It’s very exciting! Colleen

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-59941 miha Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:55:24 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-59941 <p>My Muscovy duck is sitting on the eggs. I have to wait 3 weeks and we will see how many ducklings will be hatched. She has 5 eggs.</p> My Muscovy duck is sitting on the eggs. I have to wait 3 weeks and we will see how many ducklings will be hatched. She has 5 eggs.

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-59887 Colleen Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:04:15 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-59887 <p>Thanks Darren. I'll just watch and see how it goes. I love my giunea hens, but they can make a lot of noise. Oh and I got my first chicken egg yesterday!</p> Thanks Darren. I’ll just watch and see how it goes. I love my giunea hens, but they can make a lot of noise. Oh and I got my first chicken egg yesterday!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-59741 Darren Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:11:19 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-59741 <p>@Colleen: I'm jealous! I want some guinea fowl (for tick control) and more Muscovy females. I'm still waiting for our one female to go broody. I expect your duck is already incubating the eggs, if she's spending any time sitting on them. The incubation period is 35-37 days, so you should know in a month or so!</p> @Colleen: I’m jealous! I want some guinea fowl (for tick control) and more Muscovy females. I’m still waiting for our one female to go broody. I expect your duck is already incubating the eggs, if she’s spending any time sitting on them. The incubation period is 35-37 days, so you should know in a month or so!

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-59700 Colleen Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:35:19 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-59700 <p>Hi. I am new to poultry this year. I started with 14 assorted chicks and 6 guineas. Then I bought 3 adult Muscovey ducks from a local farmer about 4 weeks ago. 2 females and a male. The girls did not lay for about 10 days, but once they settled in they were laying 1-4 eggs a day. Now one of them has gone broody and has about 8 eggs in the nest. She doesn't sit on them all the time, but stays pretty close by. When should she start really settting these eggs so I know when they might hatch?</p> Hi. I am new to poultry this year. I started with 14 assorted chicks and 6 guineas. Then I bought 3 adult Muscovey ducks from a local farmer about 4 weeks ago. 2 females and a male. The girls did not lay for about 10 days, but once they settled in they were laying 1-4 eggs a day. Now one of them has gone broody and has about 8 eggs in the nest. She doesn’t sit on them all the time, but stays pretty close by. When should she start really settting these eggs so I know when they might hatch?

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-58758 miha Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:24:27 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-58758 <p>I will see how the New Hampshire proved. I have at home also Cochin China hens, they are very good broodies mother. I can hatch New Hampshire eggs with Cochin China hens :DD</p> I will see how the New Hampshire proved. I have at home also Cochin China hens, they are very good broodies mother. I can hatch New Hampshire eggs with Cochin China hens :D D

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-58593 Darren Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:23:39 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-58593 <p>@Miha: I don't have any personal experience with New Hampshires, but I have read that they do go broody and are good mothers. They were bred for fast growth so are good as a meat chicken, but they are also fair egg-layers making them a useful dual-purpose breed.</p> @Miha: I don’t have any personal experience with New Hampshires, but I have read that they do go broody and are good mothers. They were bred for fast growth so are good as a meat chicken, but they are also fair egg-layers making them a useful dual-purpose breed.

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-58409 miha Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:56:06 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-58409 <p>I have two hens New Hampshire and 1 rooster. Are these hens good broodies?</p> I have two hens New Hampshire and 1 rooster. Are these hens good broodies?

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-45635 Darren Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:41:30 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-45635 <p>@Siena: In theory, your silky rooster is compatible with the other hens as long as he can catch them. In my experience silkies aren't as active as other breeds of chickens, so he may not be up to the job. I do know for sure that non-silky roosters can cross with silky hens. ISA Browns are bred for high egg production, so they often lay well into winter and only take short breaks. Leghorns are a traditional egg-laying breed, not quite the machine that the ISA Brown is but still very productive. It wouldn't surprise me if they slowed down in the colder weather/shorter days, and stopped laying for longer when they molt. They'll probably live longer than the ISA Browns, though, and will generally be more robust and healthier.</p> @Siena: In theory, your silky rooster is compatible with the other hens as long as he can catch them. In my experience silkies aren’t as active as other breeds of chickens, so he may not be up to the job. I do know for sure that non-silky roosters can cross with silky hens. ISA Browns are bred for high egg production, so they often lay well into winter and only take short breaks. Leghorns are a traditional egg-laying breed, not quite the machine that the ISA Brown is but still very productive. It wouldn’t surprise me if they slowed down in the colder weather/shorter days, and stopped laying for longer when they molt. They’ll probably live longer than the ISA Browns, though, and will generally be more robust and healthier.

]]> By: Siena http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-45582 Siena Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:36:27 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-45582 <p>I have a silky rooster and the other chickens are not silkies. They are leghorns and Isa browns. Can they still be compatible with a silky rooster? And, none of the leg horns are laying but the Isa browns are. Can I help this? The rooster also isn't very active. Siena</p> I have a silky rooster and the other chickens are not silkies. They are leghorns and Isa browns. Can they still be compatible with a silky rooster? And, none of the leg horns are laying but the Isa browns are. Can I help this? The rooster also isn’t very active. Siena

]]> By: noah smith http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-36679 noah smith Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:17:33 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-36679 <p>i live in the middel of the south so i dont have to worry about the law not wanting chickens</p> i live in the middel of the south so i dont have to worry about the law not wanting chickens

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-36237 miha Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:43:54 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-36237 <p>I do not know if it is guilty of a duck, that nothing had been hatched..</p> I do not know if it is guilty of a duck, that nothing had been hatched..

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-36092 miha Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:37:15 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-36092 <p>@maria:I apologize that I was offline. My broody muscovy duck didn't hatched nothing. All the eggs have become rotten.</p> <p>This duck has today 3 eggs. I don't know what to do. Should I let her eggs and than she will be broody duck, or should i put her a chicken eggs?</p> <p>I hope that you will no problems with understanding ;) have a nice day!</p> @maria:I apologize that I was offline. My broody muscovy duck didn’t hatched nothing. All the eggs have become rotten.

This duck has today 3 eggs. I don’t know what to do. Should I let her eggs and than she will be broody duck, or should i put her a chicken eggs?

I hope that you will no problems with understanding ;) have a nice day!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-35726 Darren Thu, 07 Apr 2011 22:03:54 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-35726 <p>@Lorraine: I like to separate broodies from the rest of the chickens. I have a few smaller mobile cages that I can put them in. It stops other chooks continually adding eggs to the clutch (which won't reach full term, since they were laid later), it gives the expectant mum a break, and it removes the risk of other chooks or wild birds attaching the new chicks. It also means I can feed them chick crumbles without worrying about the other chooks stealing it all. I wouldn't worry too much about temperature - the mother should be able to keep them warm as long as she's getting plenty of food. Bush wisdom says that feeding chickens wheat heats them up through winter.</p> @Lorraine: I like to separate broodies from the rest of the chickens. I have a few smaller mobile cages that I can put them in. It stops other chooks continually adding eggs to the clutch (which won’t reach full term, since they were laid later), it gives the expectant mum a break, and it removes the risk of other chooks or wild birds attaching the new chicks. It also means I can feed them chick crumbles without worrying about the other chooks stealing it all. I wouldn’t worry too much about temperature – the mother should be able to keep them warm as long as she’s getting plenty of food. Bush wisdom says that feeding chickens wheat heats them up through winter.

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