Re: Broody - How long?

diddy wrote:
. She's in good flesh and never starved. Are you saying some
broody hens won't eat at all? She did eat less, but she didn't have
the nutritional needs of a egg producing hen or one out scratching
around. I just figured her body was resting from a long laying
period. So i let her rest.

Normally chickens are pretty much constantly grazing on food.
Its not difficult to see that the difference between that and the amount
they take in while they are broody is significant
As most of the "condition" of the bird is inside the body cavity, as are any
fat deposits when they get over fed its hard to judge entirely by what the
covering over the skeleton is. As most hens are expected to start laying
again after this time they need to maintain their mineral / vits and protein
intake.
I absolutely fail to understand why anyone would want to leave birds in this
situation for weeks on end if there is no intention of hatching.
Its simply to break and effective given some care.
Maybe it is just me.

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


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