6. Good Organic Gardening - November-December 2016 AvxHome.in

Breeding tips | FEATHERED FRIENDS
Words Megg Miller
Now that incubators
are inexpensive, many
backyarders borrow or buy
one. It’s fun checking on the
eggs as they develop but once the chicks
hatch, the work really starts.
When you live a busy lifestyle, a broody
hen that has a good record for sitting tight
on the eggs and then caring for the chicks
diligently is worth gold.
When hens
go broody
Traditional breeds of fowl lay eggs in
clutches. Essentially, they lay a sequence
of eggs and then stop for a rest. The Silkie
will lay between 10 and 16 eggs and take a
rest, while the Light Sussex could lay 25–35
eggs before resting. Nature intends these
traditional fowl to set on a clutch and hatch
it, so the number of eggs laid has a bearing
on the clutch size a hen can cover.
A clutch of eggs can begin and finish at
any time of year, but most hens start to go
broody from late spring onwards.
Would you be able to
recognise a broody
hen? She is likely to
have commandeered
the nest box, fluffing
out her feathers to look
large and intimidating.
Some circumstances increase the
likelihood of broodiness developing. High
temperatures are a common trigger, along
with a nest full of eggs. If the hen can
sit without interference, her immobility
encourages prolactin to develop and this
boosts broodiness.
Nests should be checked daily for eggs if
broodiness isn’t desired or the setting hen’s hot
body will heat — and spoil — eggs for eating.
Would you be able to recognise a broody
hen? She is likely to have commandeered the
nest box, fluffing out her feathers to look large
and intimidating. You can anticipate a cluckcluck
sound and the hen is likely to peck if
you attempt to steal the eggs. With some, it’s
all show; others peck to hurt.
Best broodies
Not every hen develops broodiness. It’s
uncommon in white ear-lobed hens — breeds
such as Ancona and Leghorn — and it’s rare
in Hy-Line Browns and ISAs.
Most red ear-lobed breeds go broody
but not all make good mums. Wyandottes
are usually great and so are Pekin bantams.
Game hens are good but overprotective.
The Silkie is best of all, although her leg
feathers may need to be trimmed to prevent
entangled chicks.
Where should
hens set?
You can be certain your broody hen will
choose an inappropriate site to sit. The
communal nest box is unsuitable: neither the
hen nor keeper will be able to keep track of
which eggs are part incubated and which
are fresh. As well, it’s a stressful spot, as
constant interruptions stop broodies being in
a meditative zone. A communal nest wouldn’t
be safe or healthy for chicks hatching there.
Many hens steal a nest, go bush or head to
the haystack, the bike shed or other secretive
places. Unfortunately, the fox isn’t fooled by their
concealment and usually makes a meal of them.
A safe shed/pen works best, but first you
may need to persuade mother hen. Set up a
nest on the floor that’s well lined with litter
and pop some golf balls in. Collect the hen at
night, dust her to eliminate lice and northern
fowl mite with Pestene or diatomaceous earth
then place her on the golf balls. If the nest is
in a box, drape a towel over the top.
When henny wakes up in the morning, if
the light is subdued by the towel, she will likely
settle. Some hens are outraged at being moved,
refusing to set, hence the gentle persuasion.
Next day, the hen should be allowed to leave
the nest to drink, eat and defecate, but ensure
she cannot leave the house/pen. If she does,
she will return to her original nest.
Remember that foxes will prowl around
sheds and smell a bird that’s on the ground
with just a wall between. Ensure foxes cannot
dig in or, if up north, that carpet snakes
cannot squeeze in.
Silkies make the
best broodies of all
Good Organic Gardening | 73