Baba’s Broody Hen
It is said that all that you are seeking is also seeking you, that if you are still, sit still, it will find you.
Sometimes you simply have no choice but to brood and wait.
Rest and see what happens next
You can tell when a hen is broody because she sits continually in the nest-box. She will ruffle her feathers when you come close and will squawk loudly, warning you away.
Broodiness seems to be contagious! If a hen goes broody in the hen-house with other hens, the other hens may become broody too, and they may kill the young chicks when they hatch. It is best to leave the broody hen with other hens for only one or two days then, after dark, move both the hen and if possible the nest-box to another prepared house.
The incubation periods from the time the hen starts to sit to hatching are:
- Hens 21 days
- Bantams 19 days.
- Ducks 26-28 days
- Muscovy ducks 33-35 days
- Geese 30-33 days
- Guinea fowl and turkeys 26-28 days
- Pheasants and quail 21-28 days
How long does it take a woman to incubate an idea and act upon it?
cheers
Baba
cronelogical Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Clever Heather, clever hen. And where did you get that egg? Fran
Heather Blakey Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Now if I gave away all my secrets I would be forced to kill you darling. So you will have to look in wonder at what Enchanteur pulls from her sleeve and you may borrow it if you like
Lori Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 1:21 pm
“How long does it take a woman to incubate an idea and act upon it?” Sometimes an entire lifetime.
espirit07 Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I’m with Lori — sometimes a lifetime!
She Wolf Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Let us hope that we are not like broody hens, to attack the young ideas of others, even as we incubate our own!
woodnymph Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 2:10 pm
A lifetime indeed.
Yes, Lori, a lifetime indeed.
And Heather, I love your painting, and the egg…that is the cutest thing.
Vi
Sylvia Kleindinst Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Hi Heather,
I really enjoyed your thoughts and drawings. Yes, it is indeed a time to brood as we are dealing with life changes now. Of course it may not all be negative. Sometimes good things can come out of adversity.
Thanks Sylvia
I know all to well the need to brood as I have faced life changes. The mercy is that it is never all negative and fresh life is always emerging in some form.
love Heather
imogen88 Said:
on September 13, 2007 at 9:17 pm
What a fabulous post. Love the image, and the chick making it’s way slowly. Baba’s is a place where you never know what comes next. Maybe that’s the broody mood. LOL!
Trisha aka Cosmicdancer Said:
on September 14, 2007 at 12:21 am
Love the look of proud contentment on mother hen’s face! Now I know what it happening with me - I’m brooding! And next week I’m off to Brood in Ubud! Sounds like the beginning of a poem. When I get back it’s web-building time (so then I’ll be a spider?) and I’ll be able to talk with you all properly.
Here’s to brooding! Thanks for that lovely image, Heather!
Trisha
Heather Blakey Said:
on September 14, 2007 at 12:35 am
Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, my experience does demonstrate that many adults do attack the ideas of the young. As a teacher I know that all knowledge does not reside with me and it is the young whom have the power to teach me.
lois daley Said:
on September 14, 2007 at 5:09 am
Heather I have in my cupboard of bits and pieces
the egg of an EMU it is very large and has been there for ages and ages…….It has been prepared ready to paint
I was going to have it done by an artist, alas it has never happened I think when they paint them it is called DECOPARGE …..they do look truly beautiful….Oh well it will no doubt sit in its box for another decade.
There is no worry of it hatching
as for me I don’t always hatch ideas I usually go out like a bull at the gate and do it….soemtimes to my detriment….but incubating , no it can never be said I am a Hatcher or Incubater of Ideas….more of a rush in where angels fear to tread.
Lois (Muse of the Sea) 14.9.07