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 Tue, 08 May 2012 23:20:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-115518 Darren Sun, 06 May 2012 12:32:13 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-115518 <p>@Colleen: Great news! I'd wait until the mother starts ignoring the ducklings before removing them, just to make sure they get the best start possible. If you really want to, though, you can take them away at any age as long as the other people are willing to give them some warmth in a brooder box. By 3 weeks old they won't need heat if kept in a protected area, and by 6 weeks old they can go outside as long as conditions aren't excessively harsh. I'm not sure why the others would have stopped laying, although mine do tend to lay in batches with breaks in between. I've got some little muscovies just hatching now. So cute!</p> @Colleen: Great news! I’d wait until the mother starts ignoring the ducklings before removing them, just to make sure they get the best start possible. If you really want to, though, you can take them away at any age as long as the other people are willing to give them some warmth in a brooder box. By 3 weeks old they won’t need heat if kept in a protected area, and by 6 weeks old they can go outside as long as conditions aren’t excessively harsh. I’m not sure why the others would have stopped laying, although mine do tend to lay in batches with breaks in between. I’ve got some little muscovies just hatching now. So cute!

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-115330 Colleen Sat, 05 May 2012 13:10:47 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-115330 <p>Hi Darren,</p> <p>Its Colleen again. So all my ducks have started to lay and now 1 of the mama ducks is brooding again. She has 5 eggs in her nest and has been setting for about a week now. I have 2 questions. Someone that I work with wants the ducklings. When can I take the ducklings away from mom without causing too much trauma to mom or ducklings? And it seems that the other ducks have stopped laying. Is that normal? Should the other 5 keep laying or not untill this bunch hatch? Thanks again for all your advice.</p> Hi Darren,

Its Colleen again. So all my ducks have started to lay and now 1 of the mama ducks is brooding again. She has 5 eggs in her nest and has been setting for about a week now. I have 2 questions. Someone that I work with wants the ducklings. When can I take the ducklings away from mom without causing too much trauma to mom or ducklings? And it seems that the other ducks have stopped laying. Is that normal? Should the other 5 keep laying or not untill this bunch hatch? Thanks again for all your advice.

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-103535 miha Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:49:37 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-103535 <p>HI! Again I do. :D One of the hens, sounds like clocking. This hen do not stay in the nest. Also, do not behave like a broody hen. Just sounds like the typical broody hen. I want that this hen become a broody hen. What can I do?</p> <p>I'm sorry for my terrible english an thank you verry much!</p> HI! Again I do. :D One of the hens, sounds like clocking. This hen do not stay in the nest. Also, do not behave like a broody hen. Just sounds like the typical broody hen. I want that this hen become a broody hen. What can I do?

I’m sorry for my terrible english an thank you verry much!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-98225 Darren Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:51:47 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-98225 <p>@Miha: I've not used an automatic incubator, so can't recommend anything specific. I've only used a manual incubator and broody chickens. You should try one of the many poultry forums on the web for advice.</p> @Miha: I’ve not used an automatic incubator, so can’t recommend anything specific. I’ve only used a manual incubator and broody chickens. You should try one of the many poultry forums on the web for advice.

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-98098 miha Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:31:06 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-98098 <p>Hi!</p> <p>I have one big question for you!</p> <p>i search for long time one good automatic chicken incubator. Can anyone recommend me any incubator?</p> Hi!

I have one big question for you!

i search for long time one good automatic chicken incubator. Can anyone recommend me any incubator?

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-93113 Darren Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:48:57 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-93113 <p>@Colleen: I think they start laying at around 6-7 months old, but they'll often wait until well into spring to get started. I've got no experience with turkeys, but I'd like to try to grow some for Christmas this year.</p> @Colleen: I think they start laying at around 6-7 months old, but they’ll often wait until well into spring to get started. I’ve got no experience with turkeys, but I’d like to try to grow some for Christmas this year.

]]> By: Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-91428 Colleen Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:12:24 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-91428 <p>Hi again Darren,</p> <p>So my Muscovy ducklings(12)were born in early November. Still no eggs from the 2 adult females since they brooded. I am also down to 3 ducklets( 5 boys went into the freezer a couple of weeks ago). About when will they start to lay? Last, I would like to add some Midget White turkeys this summer. Can I house them all together? The ducks, chickens and guinea hens all share a coop at night and when the weather is too cold for them to go out. A lot to think about. Sorry to be a pain, but any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Colleen.</p> Hi again Darren,

So my Muscovy ducklings(12)were born in early November. Still no eggs from the 2 adult females since they brooded. I am also down to 3 ducklets( 5 boys went into the freezer a couple of weeks ago). About when will they start to lay? Last, I would like to add some Midget White turkeys this summer. Can I house them all together? The ducks, chickens and guinea hens all share a coop at night and when the weather is too cold for them to go out. A lot to think about. Sorry to be a pain, but any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Colleen.

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-89103 Darren Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:01:01 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-89103 <p>@Miha: You won't hear the eggs peeping or see them move until they're ready to hatch - about day 20 or 21. You can candle them to check that they're developing, though - shine a bright torch through them from behind. You should see large dark shadows and an air pocket, since your eggs are close to hatching. If the whole egg is clear, then there's no chick in there.</p> @Miha: You won’t hear the eggs peeping or see them move until they’re ready to hatch – about day 20 or 21. You can candle them to check that they’re developing, though – shine a bright torch through them from behind. You should see large dark shadows and an air pocket, since your eggs are close to hatching. If the whole egg is clear, then there’s no chick in there.

]]> By: miha http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-89018 miha Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:07:07 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-89018 <p>Hi! I put the chicken eggs in incubator on 27th of January afternoon. I know chickens needs 21 days to hatched. When the chicken eggs start to move? When I will hear them? Thank You very much!</p> Hi! I put the chicken eggs in incubator on 27th of January afternoon. I know chickens needs 21 days to hatched. When the chicken eggs start to move? When I will hear them? Thank You very much!

]]> 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?

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