This is our broody hen. We're edgy with anticipation. Others of our flock of 48 have tried but this one just might succeed. She has a certain stick-to-it-iveness. Her whole body says she's determined!The year-old hen has made her nest in a culvert nesting box. She is not yet in her brooder, just across the hall from the others. When she moves, we're watching another broody hen that may join her soon.
Our hens have preferred these culvert nesting boxes over the yellow buckets that are on another wall. Moving her will be fairly easy, we think. Chris plans to slip a piece of plywood between the culvert and the camouflage wall to easily lift the culvert nest out of its slot, hen, eggs and all. We're hoping this won't upset the setting hen. Then, just a few steps away is the brooding room. He can then replace this nest with another piece of culvert and bedding. Again, Chris has put together a clever design. We're hoping it works. I would love to have hens raising their own Speckled Sussex chicks! When it happens, you'll know! She has been on her eggs for 13 days and somehow she has 10 eggs or so without any interference from us!
Several of you are already having chicks this spring from your own hens.
I can hardly wait for your thoughts, experiences and words of advice!
:D
Oh she is so cute! I hope it goes well. We had a great brooder that raised some chicks last summer, but sadly a predator took her out, and none of our current hens are brooders :-(
ReplyDeleteLisa, that's too sad. This is a threatened heirloom breed and not many breeders out there, and there's a pack of coyotes that roam our pine trees. Scary.
DeleteIt's one of my goals to have hens hatch out my meat and eggs chicks every year. My "breeding" program is getting into full swing this year.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad to hear that! How exciting! I won't be the only one who wants a photo display!
Deletedr momi, what if we put this nest on the wood shavings in a corner of the floor where 47 other hens and one cocky rooster are free to roam, both in and outdoors? Would the eventual chicks be safe? No predators can get in except maybe a hawk but they haven't tried.
DeleteI have a magpie duck that's been setting for almost 3 weeks now -- it is an exciting time! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, WOW!!! They're going to hatch soon!
DeleteOur Pekins are not inclined to set, so no little ducklings here.
So clever...I don't know enough about chickens.
ReplyDeleteLori, I'm learning to like them a lot more. These hens are entirely different in attitude than the Rainbow Ranger meat chickens we had. These hens are actually friendly. The rooster, however, would knock you down, given the chance! He herds the chickens away from danger such as when a hawk flies near.
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