I have a hen who started to set two days ago. I wasn't going to let her hatch anything (I have as many as I can handle right now) but do have someone who would like some Turkens. He wants the hens that hatched several months ago, but that's not happening *G*. I said I'd hatch some eggs for him, but he has to take them all. I only have one hen I can reliably get eggs from (the other lays eggs so similar to her co-hens that I don;t know which is which unless I catch her in the box). That means a week before I'll have enough to hatch, will she be okay with golfballs until then? Do they have some kind of internal clock that tells them when the eggs should hatch? I don't think so, but thought I'd ask. Of course, since I WANT her to stay broody, she will surely not....
How long can I make a Broody hen wait?
I think the determination to stay broody depends on the individual hen. I would certainly try the golf balls - "nothing ventured..."
She's got golfballs now. I didn't realise she was broody until after I'd pulled the eggs out from under her, and got roundly pecked for my troubles. I always leave the GBs there, and take the eggs. I usually wait until the hens leave, but I was in a hurry, and she was just hanging around (I thought).
Silly me:)
Obviously she;s been laying there long enough that she felt she'd done her job, and I thwarted her at every term. Poor little hen.
I have one that has been broody since November. I just let her hatch some and now she is fine. Her poor toenails are so long from her not being out scratching around
Depends on the hen... I have a few that will stick like glue till they get a baby! :) Should be fine for a week or so.. I'd collect more than 7 if I could.. just sayin.. :)
I'd love to, but it has seemed that after 7 days they don't hatch as well, or shall I say, not at all. Don't know if the intense heat we've been having would make that better, or worse.
Still trying to catch Turken two, but they've just been moved into a new home, and none are laying very well.
Aww that's too bad. I hope the ones you are able to gather hatch!
I gathered 13 from a single hen, and 10 hatched.. but that was 1/2 the time under a broody and the last week or so in the bator. Now I don't give them eggs unless they have a place to themself.. Just not having good hatches with others comin in to share the nest. Only 2 or 3 are hatching when they share.. That's no good, I've got hens fighting every time I turn my back! LOL
I have a pair now that shared, who had started on seperate nests. I had enclosed them both, and figured it would be okay. Well, since they weren't "planned" chicks, it's probably just as well that they got so invloved with the first hatchlings that the rest of the eggs were abandoned.
This new hen is now definitely by herself (she was keeping everyone else out anyway), in what's turned out to be an extremely useful wire drop cage.
We'll see what happens...
The biggest problem I'm having is when I pick up an egg and wonder what it might become. Could be anything around here *g*
I have 3 broody hens right now, and I feel sorry for them next week we are supposed to be in the triple digits for a few days in a row.. wow.. it's gonna be hard on them.. :(
Good luck Catmad.. I hope you get a good hatch. :)
We're going to be close to those temps, and i feel sorry for everyone :(. Fortunately, she's chosen the shed, which actually stays cooler than much of the property, and I have a fan should it get really bad.