Anyone hatching eggs this early in the year?

[Snadger]

Just wondered as I have collected 14 eggs over a couple of days from Sid's harim and wondered if it was worth having a go hatching.
I haven't seen him 'on the job' as it were but the chooks, which are white , all have grubby backs.

[Bramble-Poultry]

Always worth a go Snadger - we will be setting eggs this week - just to test the incubator obviously

[RichmondHens]

Funny you should mention it. I have a half broody bantam who I tested out on some fake eggs in a coop, she didn't like it so I've returned her to the main flock, but I'm still putting aside my Light Sussex eggs just in case she has a change of heart, or someone else goes broody in the next few days.

[shirlthegirl43]

Now that we have a cockerel I am wondering if our Warrens will go broody - would love some chicks

[RichmondHens]

The presence of a cockerel doesn't make hens go broody. It's all down to the breed/type of hen. They will go broody if they want to, regardless of whether there are males about. Warrens aren't known for going broody but you may get lucky. Or get another hen that will go broody, like a Silkie!

[Glutton4...]

The presence of a cockerel doesn't make hens go broody. It's all down to the breed/type of hen. They will go broody if they want to, regardless of whether there are males about. Warren's aren't known for going broody but you may get lucky.

Does that mean my Battie may not get the urge again this year?

[shirlthegirl43]

The presence of a cockerel doesn't make hens go broody. It's all down to the breed/type of hen. They will go broody if they want to, regardless of whether there are males about. Warrens aren't known for going broody but you may get lucky. Or get another hen that will go broody, like a Silkie!

I did wonder if it was all down to breed. We also got two buff orpingtons but they are looking like cockerels (not crowing yet) so I don't suppose there will be any chicks here

[RichmondHens]

G4 - If she's been broody before then it's likely she'll go again ........ or she may not. I have a cuckoo maran that only ever went broody once, in her first season, and she successfully raised a group of Welsummers. But she has not shown any inclination since, and she's now coming up to 4. Perhaps she decided being a mother was not her thing!

[Glutton4...]

Don't blame her RH - not my thing either! Well, not human babies, anyway!

[RichmondHens]

I did wonder if it was all down to breed. We also got two buff orpingtons but they are looking like cockerels (not crowing yet) so I don't suppose there will be any chicks here

So, an excuse to get another hen then?

[shirlthegirl43]

So, an excuse to get another hen then?

Well we have a dozen birds just now so it will have to wait till these 2 youngsters show their true colours with either an egg or a sqawk!

[Bramble-Poultry]

i've got a pekin that never gets off the nest she goes broody about March and gets up about october, with or without eggs. shes a great mom too, but then out of 45 other pekins not another single one goes properly broody - go figure and pekins are supposed to be broody hens. we have silkies too and they do go broody but I have one who gets bored after about 2 weeks and sods off so who can tell with broodies!!

last year we brought a clocker also called a goldtop, they are a silkie light sussex bantam cross, famed for their broodiness - worth every penny very reliable and very broody, she hatched guinea fowl and turkeys - definatley going to get more.

[RichmondHens]

How many turkey eggs can you get under a goldtop? I can only really get 4 or 5 chicken eggs under my banties (who are Light Sussex and LS crosses).

[Scarlet]

Yes - give it a go! I've just tested the fertility of my light sussex in the incubator. 22 out of 24 hatched last night/today.

[Bramble-Poultry]

this particular "clocker" can get about 3 turkey eggs under, but she will foster any amount, so we tend to let her have a few turkey eggs, and incubate the rest then let her foster them on.

She did manage to rear 8 guinea fowl at a time. she is fantastic as a mum, and even now the semi adult guineas try and get under her wings!