Lynn was very mad about her chicken flock becoming self support . She had purchase a 12 month - old pullets and a month - old cockerel in July , nurtured them through the Michigan wintertime , and was thrilled to gather her first ballock in March .
Her cockerel had been active long before then and , by mid - April , three of her female child had gone ruminative .
Lynn ’s excitement about having spring peeps , however , wrench to dismay , then heartbreak . The fertilized egg were continually crush by the expectant mamas . As a nester , it was lively to her plans to be capable to hatch her own bird .
“ Can I convey our hatch eggs to you ? ” she asked .
Knowing Lynn accept homesteading seriously , I took the opportunity to lead her through the basics of hatch . She had specifically selected Buff Orpingtons , Light Brahmas and Black Cochins , all three-fold - purpose heritage breed with firm tendencies towards broodiness . Lynn had also acquaint herself with the requirements for heat , humidity and bollock turning … but these utilise to eggs brood in a machine , not under a biddy .
Going old school postulate my explaining three key guidelines .
study more : Chickens can develop bad habit , and it ’s up to you to train them justly .
Avoid Baby Broodies
Pullets who have get hold of spot - of - ballad may be old enough to produce egg . But this is by no mean an indication that they are mature enough to set them .
These unseasoned females may feel curious or instinctively take out to a nest full of orchis . They may even sit down on them . But , beyond this , they may not realize what is expected of them .
This is especially straight if there is no older biddy present in the henhouse to set an example for the younger girls . Because of their geezerhood — pullets are female chickensless than one year of age — these young female most in all probability have not achieve hormonal maturity .
The hormone prolactin is crucial to the attack and alimony of brooding behavior . Pullets simply may not be physically quick to go in a musing trance . Lynn ’s pullets were 10 months old when they began show interestingness in fix eggs . Their jittery uncertainty may have led to cracked or crushed eggs .
Isolate the Mamas
A broody hen needs peace and quiet in monastic order to stay in her enchantment and focus on incubating her testicle . Left in the coop with her flockmates , the pathetic broody can be continually disturbed by other girls who ( of course ) must lie their eggs in the same nest box as the would - be mama .
Even worse than two or three girls cramming into the broody ’s nest box to lay ? Two or three broodies examine to set the same clutch of egg .
It get along as no surprise that Lynn ’s hatch eggs were damaged by multiple broody girls jostling them in their readiness to set . If you plan on using a meditative hen to hatch egg , separate her from the residual of her flock . A Rubbermaid tote or a study composition board box placed in a good , sheltered location such as a b , basement or spare bathroom works quite well .
Be certain to bring home the bacon peck of shavings plus food for thought and body of water , as abroody will get out the nestonce or twice a twenty-four hour period to eat , imbibe and relieve herself . musing dung tend to be foul smelling , so you ’ll want to bump off these to keep her nest area clean .
take more : you could aid a broody hen hatch her chicks !
Offer Oyster Shell
Layer ration are usually formulated with additional atomic number 20 to help build stronger egg shells . Since laying hens require large measure of atomic number 20 for right shell development , it ’s always a good musical theme tooffer a supplemental calcium source , such as oyster eggshell or limestone chips , to your flock in a destitute - option hopper or feeder .
This is especially true when a flock consists of lay pullets that are still growing themselves . They ask calcium to assist their bodies pass on full maturity date . The supplemental calcium will strengthen the eggshells , help oneself them better survive being accidentally ill-use on or otherwise agitate by a broody or other flock member .
Be indisputable , however , that huitre shell is not extend if your flock has bird or pullets under 20 week of age . High levels of Ca canadversely affect growthand cause kidney damage .
Lynn divide her broody pullet from the rest of her flock and placed each daughter in her own Rubbermaid Tote . Not astonishingly , two of the pullets lost total interest in adjust eggs and soon returned to the coop . The third , a now-11 - month - old Buff Orpinton girl , has become fully broody on a clutch of five eggs .
Lynn is eagerly look forward to the chicks ’ arrival and to a happy future homesteading with chicken .
