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JustChickens
Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Sussex
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 Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject: Broody hen |
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Basically i was planning on borrowing an incubator, and incubating some eggs myself. The problem is i dont have suitable space or electricity(for a heat lamp in the shed).
I think my best option now is to try and get a couple of silkie hens? My question is are these the best hens for broodies? and how easy do they go broodie? thanks, Rich |
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EGirl
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 817
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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| I've read somewhere that silkies can be expected to lay about 100 eggs then go broody, but I'm sure some do before they've laid that many. Light Sussex and Rhode Island Reds are also said to be good, but I believe Silkies are the best. HTH. |
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kated
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 1585
Location: norfolk
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Well I never got 100 out of mine - more like 2 dozen then broody, followed by about 18 then broody again then maybe another 15 then broody again. They usually make excellent mums but I have had exceptions. Tip top broodies are silkie X light sussex. |
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Woodburner
Joined: 26 Jul 2007
Posts: 583
Location: Deepest Essex, well, a village...
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Mine only laid maybe 20 each, which is apparently pretty typical. One of them currently has a brood the other is having a holiday! |
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Diane
Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 243
Location: Dorset
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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I have a silkie who goes broody every couple of months or so. I don't let her hatch out chicks each time though - just a couple of times a year.
If you can get hold of silkies or silkie crosses then it does save an awful lot of work. The hen does it all.
Put a wanted ad in the forum or have a look at the Country Smallholding mag. |
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JustChickens
Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Sussex
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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Good news!! Ive managed to find someone who will let me borrow a broody light sussex bantam  !!! so sometime in the new future i will be hatching some chicks!! WOOP  |
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telster
Joined: 22 Jun 2006
Posts: 236
Location: merseyside
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| bloody broodys , i have a hybrid on 4 chicks , cochin on 6 eggs and now another has gone broody.so she has 2 eggs as well |
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CP
Moderator
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 14259
Location: Hampshire
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Had 4 broodies but 3 have just given up so only left with 1 now.  |
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JustChickens
Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Sussex
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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| are you hatching any eggs cp? |
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CP
Moderator
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 14259
Location: Hampshire
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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We hatched 5 out of 6 eggs last weekend but were unable to foster them to one of the broodies as they hadn't been sitting very long & 3 have given up now anyway.  
We have 5 lovely cute little chicks, see here - http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13476 |
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JustChickens
Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Sussex
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Sweet, im thinking about hatching some Pekin bantam eggs from a friend who breeds them |
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