Beware the hens who have too much maternal instinct
Broody, clucky, mother hen - chickens are well known to be very serious about the business of raising their young. Anyone who has ever tried to stop a determined hen going broody will know how hard it is to change her mind. A friend of mine once had a hen go broody for 12 weeks. He’d removed all the eggs, destroyed her nest and moved her to a light, cool area, but still she sat there, brooding on her own feet, for three months. This was an admittedly exceptional case, but there are plenty of examples of obsessive behaviour in mother hens.
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Your Chickens.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Your Chickens.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hen Therapy
Keeping chickens can be good for your health! Emily Pask, from Cambridgeshire, is just one hen keeper who has benefited.
Rehomings To Start
The work of the charity has been hit by the bird flu restrictions. But now things are easing in time for spring.
Going On Show
Florrie and her chicks are much admired…
The Egg Man's got it cracked
David Herbert, nicknamed The Egg Man, tells you all you need to know about showing eggs
Slasher Battles On
Slasher the ancient Araucana is looking good, but looks can be deceptive
Flock Dynamics: A Guide To Social Hierarchy
Julie Moore takes a look at how the pecking order is established
In Harmony With Nature
Susie Kearley talks to Anya Lautenbach whose home shows her love of gardening and chickens
Attracted To Australorps
After two decades of breeding and showing, Ian Simpson and his daughter Louise are now the joint secretaries of the Australorp Breed Club
Bringing Metal To Life
Hamish Mackie’s sculpture work is internationally renowned and includes a cockerel’s head.
Best For Bedding
Kim Stoddart takes a peek at the vast array of products now available to buy