Is your hen in the mood for the brood? Are you concerned with her obsessive devotion to her nest? Why has she stopped eating and started pulling out her feathers? What is this avian insanity which has befallen your fowl friend? In this show we discuss why hens get broody, how it affects your hen physically and mentally and what you can do to break this broody behavior ….or use it to your advantage!
There are many great things about having a broody hen. Have you ever incubated eggs and cared for chicks until they are ready to go outdoors? Its a huge job and a mother hen knows how to do it best. Whats even better is having a broody hen hatch a clutch of chicks from eggs you ordered online or bought locally. These eggs can be a variety of pure breeds specifically chosen to fan the flames of your flock fanaticism. Imagine the variety of chicks you could hatch and all without need of a rooster! We will also give a few suggestions if you’re looking for a broody breed who will care for her chicks like a crowned goddess of motherhood.
But, nature loves to provide, and in many cases, you might not want a broody hen. There are lots of obscure tips and tricks to cure even the most stubborn hen of broodiness. Some are very simple and may work with little effort and others will require more diligence. Be reassured if you want your hen to keep laying instead of being a “lay about” we have solutions for you. We have anti brood secrets that will stop even the most ambitious hen as well as tips for understanding brooding behavior and nest site preferences.
Our Cabinet of Chicken Curiosities is a bit darker this week with some scary stories of chicken thievery. We all know we have to keep our clickers safe from tooth, fang and talon but what about human predators? The recent “discovery” of the joy of back yard chickens has led to climbing prices, and with climbing prices comes….. Theft. We share some news about poultry pilferers and shudder at the thought! Peering deeper into the Cabinet we will peruse some stunning examples of strange genetics, and naughty bird behavior! Did you know chickens can mate with peacocks and have occasionally hatched and reared young? Find out all about the legendary pea-chick!
This week at the end of the show, we have a fantastic story-teller named Akizur sharing the story of “The Good Farmer and The Chickens“. A fantastic parable, told brilliantly. After you’ve heard it on the show, check out this video to watch Akizur tell the story. That’s a treat in itself.
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