Devonviolet Acres

[Mini Horses]

Golf balls. I put those in the nests to encourage use of more than one nest -- you know, one is best, grass is greener, all that. Soon I had a couple setting. Gave eggs to one and she hatched them, now have three more trying to hatch golf balls. One BO, one RIR & one Marans I tell ya, get some balls...….

Another hen set a golf ball and 8 eggs contributed by other helper hens...6 of the eggs hatched. Alas, the golf ball is still there I'm thinking I will give this old BO gal about 10 eggs. I lost 8 hens to a neighbors dog (he pd me for hens) and now 8 either with chicks or setting...I'm down 15 eggs a day for sales. But, looking for new layers this Fall. Plus, fryers. Hope you get a broody.

 

[Bruce]

Do you have any Buff Orpingtons? Check out this blog post about the best broody hens.....

Which is why I have no Buff Orpingtons!

I think I've read that guinea hens aren't the best mothers.

 

[Devonviolet]

Which is why I have no Buff Orpingtons!

I think I've read that guinea hens aren't the best mothers.

True! Very true! That’s why we put guinea eggs under a broody chicken. How were we to know that none of the eggs were fertile.

 

[Baymule]

They ain't Gooney Loonies for nuthin'.

 

[Baymule]

I have 18 chicks out of 26 eggs. Looks like they are done. I am pleased with the results, I don't need any more. I'll give it another day or two, but pretty sure that is all.

 

[Bruce]

That is lots of chicks!

 

[Baymule]

That is lots of chicks!

Combined with the first batch that hatched out, is a total of 35, but we slaughter the roosters. You don't have that option.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I was watching two broodies in my barn....the big, bad snake took most of those eggs and the hens abandoned ship. I didn't even try to rescue the eggs. However, unbeknownst to me - in a totally isolated area another broody hatched out 6 chicks and has kept them all alive to this point. She is fearless and fierce and I have a wound on my leg to prove it, lol. Love a mean-a$$ broody!

 

[CntryBoy777]

Sounds like ya need to invest in some shin pads FEM....

 

[Bruce]

I was watching two broodies in my barn....the big, bad snake took most of those eggs and the hens abandoned ship. I didn't even try to rescue the eggs. However, unbeknownst to me - in a totally isolated area another broody hatched out 6 chicks and has kept them all alive to this point. She is fearless and fierce and I have a wound on my leg to prove it, lol. Love a mean-a$$ broody!

good for her! Iwonder if the snake didn't know about her nest or if it went for the easier meal.