I don't know what to do!!!!:(

[Nicos]

Trouble is only 1 of mine has ever gone broody about a year ago!

..flipping heck....mine seem to want to be mommies as often as possible!!!!!

[Crundy]

This was all supposed to be such a wonderful experience,but it's all just one thing after another!!!

I know what you mean when if comes to chickens. My opinion of them changed very very quickly when Mabel started ripping the bum feathers out of Myrtle for no good reason. They're horrid little things sometimes!

[Suechooks]

..flipping heck....mine seem to want to be mommies as often as possible!!!!!

I've only got a mixture of laying hybrids so broodiness has been bred out pretty much. Maybe I should get a bantam or one of those Light Sussex/Silkie crosses advertised as broodies! I think I'd rather do that than use an incubator.

[Nicos]

Go for it Suechooks...as Di will agree....it's certainly an experience!!!!
(Marans are supposed to be good broodies too)

[di]

I most certainly will!!!& if she went broody a year ago,who knows...maybe she's just about ready to do so again!
Just learn from my mistakes!!!...a good dust down with mite powder before she starts sitting,try to get her comfortable in a little coop/run of her own(I've since been advised to do this with false eggs & untill she's sat tight & happy in the broody coop,wait with popping the fertile ones under.)
Now that it's all happened...we finally have magic!!!Dandelion is being such an amazing mummy...still not sure what Marigold thinks of the chicks,but she's more than happy to have them share her food,so my anxieties over her hurting them have pretty much gone.
Watching them running down the ramp this morning when I let them out & then getting into their breakfast & water really has made it all worthwhile and as I said,done differently I'm sure most of the stresses and worries could have been avoided!
Go for it!!!

[Nicos]

That's a lovely 'ending' isn't it Di!!!- I'm so glad it's all worked out of for Marigold and Dandelion..and the chicks.
I love watching the moms finding something yummy to eat and calling the chicks over to eat the little pieces they've pecked it into!!

...lots of new chatting sounds too- esp the clucking which I'd not heard before there were chicks!!!( clucky mother hen ....yup- actually sounds very homely doesn't it??)

[Suechooks]

I most certainly will!!!& if she went broody a year ago,who knows...maybe she's just about ready to do so again!
Just learn from my mistakes!!!...a good dust down with mite powder before she starts sitting,try to get her comfortable in a little coop/run of her own(I've since been advised to do this with false eggs & untill she's sat tight & happy in the broody coop,wait with popping the fertile ones under.)

Go for it!!!

She's one of my ex-batts and the absolute lowest in the pecking order so it was a huge surprise when she went broody last summer! She's one of the most regular layers so maybe her hormones are kicking in again! I'll find a way! Have actually got a little ark just ASKING for a mum and chicks!

[Nicos]

Have actually got a little ark just ASKING for a mum and chicks!

well- what a coincidence!!!

[Suechooks]

well- what a coincidence!!!

Life's full of little surprises like that!

[hmk]

I've got the chance to have 6 cream legbar eggs, BUT...

None of mine are showing the remotest sign of going broody
What on earth am I going to do with the boys??

Now I think I should be able to borrow either an incubator or perhaps even a broody hen, so the first problem is solvable, it's just the cockerel question....

HMK

[Nicos]

where are you???-maybe you could borrow a cockerel for a few days???

[Suechooks]

What on earth am I going to do with the boys??

Now I think I should be able to borrow either an incubator or perhaps even a broody hen, so the first problem is solvable, it's just the cockerel question....

HMK

That was my problem hmk but I've found someone to do the deed so I've just got to overcome my own guilt!

[HayleyB]

Crikey Di, glad it all sorted what a 'mare

[di]

Crikey Di, glad it all sorted what a 'mare

....but was worth every minute!
Happy hankies at the ready???

When I went up yesterday I popped some food in for Dandelion & Marigold,as well as the chick crumb,Dandelion as expected did her usual breaking up food for the chicks,only difference was,she had a little helper!!!....Marigold took a piece of food & crumbled it in her beak & dropped it by one of the others!!!....I admit it brought a few tears!(happy ones of course!)
Then when Andi shut them in for the night,he couldn't see Dandelion...on investigation,she was snuggled behind Marigold,each with a few chicks under their wings!!!

Now I've just got to overcome my weather worries & trust Mummy hens to protect their babies from the weather...really not a nice day.

[Suechooks]

....but was worth every minute!
Happy hankies at the ready???

When I went up yesterday I popped some food in for Dandelion & Marigold,as well as the chick crumb,Dandelion as expected did her usual breaking up food for the chicks,only difference was,she had a little helper!!!....Marigold took a piece of food & crumbled it in her beak & dropped it by one of the others!!!....I admit it brought a few tears!(happy ones of course!)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah bless!