Indio Gigante broodiness

[Backyard Birds Rehab]

That's what I had assumed. Just wasn't sure as this is my first "natural" and unplanned hatch. The Indio roo was/is the only male of what remains of our mixed flock. I guess we have been blessed will be raising Indios.

While it’s sad the other chickens passed in the incident new life is always very exciting! My condolences on your loss but I wish you nothing but the best with your newly established flock family! Like I said before please update this thread further as your lovely chicks mature!

I’ll be watching!

 

[Backyard Birds Rehab]

Not quite a month ago we had a fox devastate and take half of our flock. We thought our dear "Christmas", a hen, amongst the gone. This afternoon, however, my son breathlessly enters the house and orders, "Come now"! He directs me to dear Christmas, looking much worse for the wear and with her are 7 beautiful babies. Apparently Indios can be clever, broody and very maternal. We gathered everyone up, and I am currently trying to find out if they should be separated or not due to moms size and weight. BUT she and nature have gotten them this far so I am looking for advice. The chicks look to be all of a day or two old but are eating and drinking well. Thoughts anyone?

Howdy just checking in! How're the chicks n mama doin? No complications or losses so far I hope.

 

[cbottrun]

Hello again everyone! I’ve recently purchased 6 Indio Gigante chicks from Greenfire farms! And I have a few questions for anyone who may be more knowledgeable than myself!

I’ve heard mixed ideas on whether or not Indio Gigante chickens are good mothers / brooders. I’m always looking for a good broody hen so I’m just curious. If any of you own Indio Gigante what’s your personal experience like with broody hens?

Attached is some of the Indio Gigante chicks for your viewing pleasure

Hi,
I have a flock of 9 and they were homebred from Greenfire stock.

I love these giants and they are wonderful! But they have a downside, as my hens to date all go broody at once, so you are without eggs for 3 weeks every 2/3 weeks they produce.

So the beginning of August 2024 I let the hens all set eggs, they piled all the eggs into one box and sat on top of one another. So that’s 8 hens all in one box.

Nevermind they have a huge coop with individual boxes. But I’ve had other breeds and none did this to the extreme Indio Gigante do. Lol!

When chicks started to hatch, hens pecked in the head drawing blood. All hatching eggs had to be removed with babies.

Broody yes, but not motherly, at least in a group.

So I’ll do what is the most successful for me and that is to collect/set/incubate.

This my only breed and I’m smitten, but they aren’t good layers (even though they are listed as 250 eggs a year, which isn’t even close). But they are fun! Very expensive to keep, and easily sexed from 4 to 6 weeks. I’ve also shape sexed eggs and the Indio was almost 95% accurate.

 

[Backyard Birds Rehab]

Hi,
I have a flock of 9 and they were homebred from Greenfire stock.

I love these giants and they are wonderful! But they have a downside, as my hens to date all go broody at once, so you are without eggs for 3 weeks every 2/3 weeks they produce.

So the beginning of August 2024 I let the hens all set eggs, they piled all the eggs into one box and sat on top of one another. So that’s 8 hens all in one box.

Nevermind they have a huge coop with individual boxes. But I’ve had other breeds and none did this to the extreme Indio Gigante do. Lol!

When chicks started to hatch, hens pecked in the head drawing blood. All hatching eggs had to be removed with babies.

Broody yes, but not motherly, at least in a group.

So I’ll do what is the most successful for me and that is to collect/set/incubate.

This my only breed and I’m smitten, but they aren’t good layers (even though they are listed as 250 eggs a year, which isn’t even close). But they are fun! Very expensive to keep, and easily sexed from 4 to 6 weeks. I’ve also shape sexed eggs and the Indio was almost 95% accurate.

Funnily enough this is the best answer I could’ve been given! I’m looking for a broody hen not a motherly hen as I tend to raise chicks after they hatch and let them imprint on me and be more accustomed to my presence.

While I could incubate I always find it much more enjoyable for myself and my hens to let them brood their own eggs to completion.