Re: Can I trust my chickens?

From: E Gregory (uepmeg_at_email.unc.edu)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 15:30:26 -0500

E Gregory wrote:

> Jill. wrote:
>
>> dancutter@charter.net wrote:
>>
>>> I have fifteen assorted chickens (no rooster) and would like to add
>>> ten bantams to the coop. I'd like to order the eggs and have my
>>> chickens do the rest. There is always at least one broody hen at any
>>> given time, the bantam is the best though. Sooo, Can I order my eggs
>>> and trust the chickens? What special things should I do, if anything?
>>> Thanks to any responders. Dan
>>
>>
>>
>> Talk to the folks you want to order the eggs from and explain you are
>> using
>> broodies
>> You say you have a bird broody all the time -- how long are they broody
>> for - if routinely less than 3 weeks they will be liable to leave semi
>> incubated eggs and an incubator would be a useful backup?
>> If you are leaving them to be broody for 3 plus weeks [ the time taken to
>> hatch a clutch] then these birds will be exceedingly depleted as they
>> effectively starve while they are broody
>> Good luck
>>
>> --
>>
>> regards
>> Jill Bowis
>>
>> Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
>> Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
>> Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
>> Holidays in Scotland and Wales
>> http://www.kintaline.co.uk
>>
>
> (Hi Jill)
>
>
> I just wanted to note that not all hens starve themselves when they're
> broody. I have a couple who do get depleted when they sit too long, but
> most of them come off the eggs and franticly eat, drink, dust bath, and
> then hop back on the eggs! It's quite something to see, lots of activity
> and squawking! I've never ordered eggs to hatch, but some hens will sit
> on eggs the required time and some will only sit as long as they want
> to. I know which of mine are ones to trust and which ones not. Have
> your hens hatched eggs before? If not, you may not know which ones can
> be trusted. I'd say go for it and as Jill has said have a back up plan,
> be it an incubator or another broody hen
> Good luck,
> Eileen
>

One more note, when the broody comes off the nest to do her thing, all
creatures great and small best get out of her way!
Eileen

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