Re: Broody - How long?

diddy wrote:
in thread news:46598131$0$8728$ed2619ec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:
"Jill" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> whittled the following words:

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.


Thank you for the explanation. I was not contesting your word. I
simply was asking. You are by far, the authority.

Not at all - its only my opinion based on observation, some research and a
little chook logic ;)
Lots of people think its fine to do.

Now I know. I thought she was just resting, and I felt she deserved
that.

They tend to "rest" and regroup their reserves during the moult.


--

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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