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Post by gracielagata on Jul 11, 2019 17:31:28 GMT
So about a month ago we had a year old hen show up with 18 babies she had brooded somewhere on our property. Since she is a matchy hen, we didn't even realize she was really missing lol. So it has happened again. This time a different hen. I at least found her hiding spot so I can monitor her if she needs security to get the babies back into the coop area.
By my question- both of these times, egg production seemed to drop off drastically. As in we get 12+ eggs almost every day, and suddenly for a couple of days, there are barely 6-8.... Do the hens somehow know and organize nest laying, going up and out of their way to give them to the broody hen? Because with these broodies, we have not had slow egg drop off, as if only the broody was laying eggs in the nest. Its literally a couple-few days of considerably less. As if all the hens, while not even broody, decided to contribute their DNA to the nest. lol.
And I know that with the (18) month old babies, they are many different moms, as there are so many pattern and size differences. Though not a single pure bred since our rooster is a mutt, although obviously a VERY fertile mutt. lol Not to mention there are several mutt mothers.
I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed anything like this?!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2019 21:43:09 GMT
Have seen other hens just follow a broody hen to an outside the coop nest and lay there. Follow the leader. Have seen many different color eggs in a broody nest. Have seen 14-16 eggs in 3 days....James
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Post by gracielagata on Jul 12, 2019 11:43:51 GMT
Exactly! I just find it interesting that they are not propagating their own DNA when they do it, but I suppose since they are programmed through breeding to not even be broody, it's better than nothing! Gotta love hearty backyard mutts that do all the work for you!
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Post by aoconnor on Jul 31, 2019 0:07:50 GMT
Oh for sure! I have hens that are always broody, and some that just like to pawn their children off on any hen willing to sit! I have so many mixed up looking chickens, I can't tell who belongs to who anymore!
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