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Barnyard Buddies:  Hens  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 3:46:44 PM
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| Deleted by me |
Edited by - kristin sherrill on Aug 20 2010 7:45:35 PM |
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minnie
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
minnie
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 5:29:38 PM
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| never went thru so much trouble with hens before, I think if they would not get the idea, I probly would be makin some chicken broth. |
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Glennora
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Glennora
Birch Run
Mi
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 5:52:42 PM
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Hi Kris, I am wondering on what breed you have. I just got my first flock of chicks this spring. None of my girls are laying yet, but I picked out different breeds. Some are "broody" by nature (want to make babies) and some prefer just to lay. (from what I've read) For instance: I got some Bramas cuz they are good Mamas. You can put another hens eggs under 'em -they'll hatch chicks & that's what they do. I purchased some other breeds that have no desire to raise children (to get eggs to eat) I am not an expert by any means, just a thought.
Thank You, Glennora
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
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minnie
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
minnie
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 10:19:50 AM
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| my goodness, I hope I said nothing to hurt your feelins |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
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minnie
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
minnie
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 5:20:30 PM
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| Grace, find yourself a couple of game hens, or silkie hens, they both make great brood hens, I even had a game hen hatch out goose eggs for me. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 6:05:07 PM
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Oh Minnie thanks for the advice. I was trying to replace my old hens who pasted and it seemed like every farm I went to their chickens had lice so I surely did not want to bring that home. I have never had a silkie - do they require special attention then my normal farm hens??? I have always thought they where so pretty but my boys did not want as they called them "Poodle" Chickens. I did once have a goose who would sit on chicken eggs and hatch them out but once they where hatched she would not take care of them so they where back with me...
What types of chickens do you raise??
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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minnie
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
minnie
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 7:32:20 PM
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| Grace, I am retired now due to health issues, but was born and raised on a farm, and stayed on one til a year ago, so thats 67 yrs of farm life. Silkies never needed any differant care than my other chickens, but since they are bantys, I did keep them cooped. I would put fake eggs in to get them started, and soon as the girls started sitting, I would switch out the fakes for fertiles. Anyway, I had Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Turkens (who also will brood). I loved them all |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 07:47:59 AM
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Oh Minnie, sounds like you had some incredible years - I did not live on a farm until my husband passed away 14 years ago and I decided I needed to take control of how my boys would be influenced. So I went from being a city gal mostly to a farm with over 200 exotic fiber animals all in one year.
I do have fake eggs in the nesting boxes but all my girls over the years get in the nests, do their business and out. I will keep my eyes peeled to see if I might find a broody hen that is free from bugs. I guess for now the sweet one's will come and live in my shop so I can keep a close eye on them and then move them into a protective section of my big coop once I know they are stable.
Any and all advise is always welcomed because I know there are more then one way to do things and I am always open and listening. I even got out two more books from the library just to see if there is new advise - I have seven books on chickens on my shelves but it never hurts to read.
Thanks for your sharing I hope you will still do so...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 6:42:24 PM
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Grace, what kind of chicks are you getting? And have you checked on Craig's list for hens in your area? There's got to be some good hens somewhere that will be good broody hens for you. I have never seen a book or article on how to make a chicken go broody.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 6:57:18 PM
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Well I am getting Americana's which I have not had for about 7 or 9 years. I have tried Craig's list and check the hens out and the problem was all of them had lice or was living in conditions that I thought where horrible - did not wish to bring home sick, infested hens. My oldest white hen is still recooping from the loss of her best gal hen - I have had to let her follow me arround because she is missing her friend so much. Then the black hen lost her rooster and other hen flock member to prediators the other week - so the coop is empty and sad. Neither of the hens have ever shown any mother patterns so I am not sure if something would kick in but I worry if I put the chicks in there the hens might hurt them.. Not sure.. Any suggestions?? Wished you where closer I would pay you handsomely for one of your broody gals.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 8:02:49 PM
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Grace, I don't think you should put little tiny chicks in with the older hens. They will not like them and try to peck them to death. I always had to wait til chicks were at least 4-5 months before putting them with older hens. The only way for little chicks to be ok around other hens is if they were hatched and have a momma. She will protect them. And they know who's chicks are who's too.
And all I have heard about Americana hens is they hardly ever go broody. But that's what I have heard. I have 1 and that's the farthest thing from her mind. I have had her 1 1/2 years and she has never done it. She lays her big pretty egg and off she goes.
I am so sorry you have had so many losses. I am sure your 2 remaining hens are lonely and miss their friends alot. But these new ones will keep them company soon.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 8:22:59 PM
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In all my books they say that the Americana's are very broody but best of all the can take real cold.. I had two Americana's who where great mom's but that has been around 14 years ago. I have had many other breeds since then and still no luck with getting a broody mom. I had several Geese who would take on the roll.
I will have the chicks in the shop with me for sometime and then I am in the middle of dividing the huge coop I have to make a separate place screened in for the chicks once I feel they are old enough. I will also watch my two hens closely. They will not be able to get to the chicks but I was hoping that maybe in time they would bond with them..
What type of gamebirds do you have??
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 04:45:45 AM
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From the pictures I have seen of game birds, mine are the Old English. The 5 older ones are. Now the new chicks are a mix of the Buff and the other game roo which is probably a mix also. If you look up the Old English you'll see my girls. So when they go broody again I will just put all Buff eggs under them. That's what I did with the hen that was in the box of broken glass. I stuck 6 Buff eggs under her but only 3 hatched and only 2 are pure Buff. The game roo must of been with one of the Buffs because it looks gamey. But still cute. Just hoping it's a hen.
Of the 4 game chicks that I kept 3 look more like Rhode Island Red. So I wonder if that's what ya get when a game roo mates with a Buff hen? They are really a dark reddish and very tall. The other one looks more like an OE. She 's real small and more dainty. Very pretty. And looks like one of the older OE hens I have.
Kris
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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homsteddinmom
True Blue Farmgirl
441 Posts
Brandee
bullard
tx
USA
441 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 05:53:00 AM
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I have over 25 americauna hens and had them for 2 years so far and none have ever gone broody. The only ones that have gone broody is my barred rock hens.
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: Hens |
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Hens
