Natural breeding thread

[Perris]

Possibly so but that doesn't change the point I'm trying to make.

I appreciate your wanting to distinguish between preparation for sitting, sitting (incubating), and raising the chicks, but I don't think it's helpful to dump the word broody in favour of human analogies and even moreso human terminology. You usually frown on anthropomorphising.

 

[Perris]

Broodiness starts long before one sees the puffed up hen I would suggest

I'm sure you're right there. They eat to build up fat stores for a start.

It's just that many humans have difficulty accepting that a hen, or any chicken come to that, is capable of planning.

I ignore idiots. Point to a nest if you feel the need to respond to them

 

[Shadrach]

I appreciate your wanting to distinguish between preparation for sitting, sitting (incubating), and raising the chicks, but I don't think it's helpful to dump the word broody in favour of human analogies and even moreso human terminology. You usually frown on anthropomorphising.

I don't want to dump the word broody entirely. I want to see it being used for the correct state.

You usually frown on anthropomorphising.

Hmm, do I. If that is the impression I've given then I've not done a great job on my communications.

 

[BDutch]

True, I forgot to specify, as I stated earlier, that natural breeding works best in natural flocks, so big spaces, free range, and 1:4 rooster to hens ratio. Overcrowding and lack of control from a good dad can cause disasters.

Natural breeding and free ranging can get awkward if there are a lot of chick-predators around like rats, cats, blue jays, crows, etc. And I have many of those walking and flying around. 5 neighbour cats walk in my garden every day.

I lost several small chicks/pullets with free ranging. I keep my mama’s inside a run when I can’t supervise. Dividing the run in two makes it possible to free range the adults and keep the chicks safe.