Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
defenders of their chicks when they hatch; keep that in mind if you have young children
who want to catch Shamo chicks. Shamos will give the average cat, small dog, or other
predator a run for their money if they try to bother the chicks. One should not forget that
game hens — Modern, English, and Oriental game hens — are outstanding broody hens
and mothers. Their naturally feisty nature makes them protective as well.
Ducks, Geese, and Turkeys
Ducks raised primarily for egg production, such as the Campbells, Welsh Harlequins,
Golden Cascades, and all of the Runners, normally make very poor setters and mothers.
They rarely get broody, and if they do, they rarely set for the full term.
Buff ducks, Swedish, and most of the heavy breeds make fine broody hens. Older
Pekins also will do well.
Geese are particularly good setters and mothers and all of the naturally mating tur-
keys make good setters and mothers. Do not use modern commercial white turkeys; they
are just not able to do the job.
BREAKING THE BROODY DRIVE
You can try “breaking up” a broody hen, that is, keeping her from setting if you don't
want chicks and you want her to return to laying. One method involves taking her
and placing her in a wire-bottom cage, depriving her of bedding, and providing only
food and water. It may take a week or more to discourage her. When she's lost the
urge to set, her voice will change and she will no longer just be setting on the wire.
If the above method doesn't work, you can place her in a cage that fits over a
shallow pan of water. This way she has to stand in the water and can't sit down. Be
cautious when using this method: Do not leave her standing in the water overnight;
make sure it's not cold outside; and make sure the water is not so deep that she could
drown. Just 1 or 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of water should suffice. This method will usu-
ally break up a broody hen within one or two days.
DORKINGS RECOMMENDED
If you want to raise just a few chicks a year using a “surrogate mom,” I highly re-
commend one of the colors of Dorkings as the stand-in. This breed lays well in times
of low light and in cold weather. When the first hint of spring comes, you will know
it by the behavior of the Dorking hens. Just one mild day and you will see a Dorking
