Re: Chicken question - free range broody hen
[Re: Jumperzee]
#6310889
08/26/18 02:30 PM
08/26/18 02:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,956 Central, SD
Law Dog
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,956
Central, SD
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I'd build a enclosed screen and leave her where she is she goes away for a reason from the rest, I tried to hatch eggs before with several hens and 1 chick hatched and 3 hens tried to claim it leaving the rest of the eggs to compete with each other for the 1 chick. I'd cover her or block the area if possible after dark and uncover her in the AM, if you have to make a nesting are in a building and try moving the works. Do not add any more hens to the mix.
Once the eggs hatch then move her to a place where the chicks would be safe from that cat if it's not taking a waxed dirt nap by then.
FYI that building will have a thick layer of dust over time so be aware of that they make a mess!
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Chicken question - free range broody hen
[Re: Budfish]
#6311320
08/27/18 12:07 AM
08/27/18 12:07 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,420 williams,mn
trapper les
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,420
williams,mn
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My advice would be leave her alone unless you absolutely have to get involved. Yep, mother nature is at work here.
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
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Re: Chicken question - free range broody hen
[Re: Jumperzee]
#6311348
08/27/18 01:49 AM
08/27/18 01:49 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500 Kenai AK
KenaiKid
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
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Like TJM and Grumpa said. If she seems safe enough, or you can easily make her safe without disturbing her, then leave her. If you decide to move her do it like tjm. My dad, who’s raised free range chickens my whole life, has moved them successfully many times. He usually puts them in a rabbit hutch or cage with a nest box. He thinks that locking them in with the eggs makes them more likely to stay on them. But sometimes a hen just quits and abandons them anyway. Also, for whatever it’s worth, Bantam breeds are the best brooders in his decades of experience. He’s hatched more poultry of every kind under Banties than any other breed put together. He can move them, swap eggs, put them on turkey or duck eggs, you name it and they’ll sit until they hatch. Most of the time.
Boco couldn't catch a cold. But if he did, it would be Top Lot.
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Re: Chicken question - free range broody hen
[Re: Jumperzee]
#6311563
08/27/18 12:32 PM
08/27/18 12:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976 North Central Idaho
Jumperzee
OP
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,976
North Central Idaho
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Appreciate the advice guys. I decided to just let her be. She's only come off twice that we've seen for a few minutes each time, so I just made a little pen around her using the leftovers from this year's pheasant brooder (we raised 25 of them). Lawdog - yes...the dust is something. Made the pheasant brooder in the corner of my shop, next to my boat....which I was trying to keep nice. I think even if I sunk the thing and raised it from the depths the dusty guck layer would be still be there. Oh yeah...there's going to be a reckoning for the waxed dirt litterboxing feral cat. Here's "Bowser's" new pen till the middle of Sept. Weather got a little nasty so I stuck the heat lamp out there. Interesting little banty hen that follows us around, roosts in the carport instead of henhouse and doesn't really hang with the other birds. She's my girls favorite and the prospects of her having chicks is exciting for them so I got serious "cool dad" points for the pen. We found her! Behind the junk next to carport: Safe from feral cat
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