At a poultry gathering last month we were discussing the best method of breeding and many of the breeders there still used broodies.
We began to talk about broody management and how things hadn't changed for centuries, unlike everything else to do with poultry.
The basics still are to have great nesting material, ensure the boxes and nests are free from pests that will annoy the hen and have the broody pest free to begin with and probably wormed as well.
I went home to do a bit of reading from the past and these have held true for centuries.
Many of the old books such as Weir and Wright state these obvious precautions.
In general terms follow the above rules and make sure the broody is not sitting on too many eggs.
Other birds still try and do lay in the box and just keep adding eggs.
I like to isolate birds when they go broody and keep them stress free and calm.
Different size birds are able to sit on an infinite variety of egg numbers.
Large birds can sit on at least a dozen eggs and some more, and up to 20 bantam eggs.
I tend to let them sit on fewer eggs than this just for later care and bird comfort.
Hens can sit on more eggs than pullets.
This is especially if they have been mothers before.
Sitting hens should have the same access to feed and water as normal.
They will come off the nest to feed and defecate and this is normal.
Don't panic if you see them off the nest.
Don't change the food or offer special treats, just keep it to pellets or better still grain, as birds can get upset stomachs with a change of diet.
You do not want a bird with diarrhoea sitting on eggs, ever.
The bird doesn't need any feed that will stimulate her too much and make her want to lay again.
This will make her leave the eggs.
Broody hens are a great way to raise chicks and grow your flock.
With a few simple husbandry steps you can raise many happy and healthy chicks and happy mother hens.
Don't forget to keep your letters coming, I'm more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.
Make sure to keep the water up to birds as the weather gets warmer.
- Bruce Pattinson is a past president of the NSW Exhibition Poultry Association. Email questions to smartfarmer@theland.com.au or post to: Chook Feed, PO Box 25, Kogarah, 2217, with your name and daytime contact number.
