2018 Newbie Chat!

[Saxxy01]

I need help! I have a free range hen that hatched out last week. She abandoned the unhatched eggs. I waited a couple of days to see if she would go back however, she didn't. I was going to throw them away and one of the eggs were making a lot of noise. I helped the little guy out and have had him/her since. Now it thinks I'm mommy. I've tried to give him to her but she won't take him. What do I do? Will she ever accept him?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I need help! I have a free range hen that hatched out last week. She abandoned the unhatched eggs. I waited a couple of days to see if she would go back however, she didn't. I was going to throw them away and one of the eggs were making a lot of noise. I helped the little guy out and have had him/her since. Now it thinks I'm mommy. I've tried to give him to her but she won't take him. What do I do? Will she ever accept him?

Your mom now, she won’t accept him as her own ever. You’ll have to wait till he’s closer to size with her then introduce him with the puppy playpen method.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Had another five egg day today. Found one of them on the floor though. My Ameraucana just can’t get the nesting boxes down. I’m glad I added curtains and changed the dimensions of my boxes! Three of my girls will lay next to each other in one box with no problems!

I named my baby goats! Starting from left to right: Dorothy, Rose, & Blanche. My golden girls. My husband and I built their house and enclosure. We just built a covered feeding area too that I’m inside painting today. Building my coop sure made this project a breeze.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I’m not sure how but my splash EE Rosewood has gone broody. She’s not even six months old. I noticed her puffed up in the nest box this afternoon when I collected eggs. She even had the nerve to peck me when I got near her. I put her in a small wire cage dog kennel in the garage. She’s losing it trying to get back to her nest. Hopefully she won’t persist at it for much longer.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Two things! How big is your indoor roost? She may not feel she has enough space or isn’t safe from predators in the coop.
Is the roost in the run taller than the roost in the coop? If it is that may be your problem! She could also be “kicked out” of the pecking order so the others may be making her sleep outside.

I'm thinking it's space. Though last night they were all roosting in the coop.
There are two roosts in the coop, I think 4 feet each. They all prefer to line up on the top one though, which means if they are all on one there shouldn't be enough comfortable room for them all (though they still all get up there somehow)
The one outside is higher up than the low one inside. If she keeps doing it I'll just take out the roost she is sitting on outside and hopefully the lower in the pecking order can accept using the lower roost in the coop.
The funny thing is from what I've seen Nala isn't even the lowest in the pecking order either

If the roost configuration really causes problems I guess I could just add one big long one that all of them can fit on

 

[JMotuzick]

I tried a few things but ended up with one roost at the same height. It’s shaped like a big “L” really more like a T as it’s off the wall on the ones side by like 10 inches. They all get up there and hang out quite nicely at night. Even the new 14 week olds.

Culled 2 older hens to a friend today, they where from the batch last summer that where given to us. He also has 2 of the silver windottes we brooded this spring. Also spent yesterday helping another friend with 56 meaties.... along with our mad rooster and a hen that won’t lay... made for a long day! Really getting the hang of this chicken thing!

 

[CannedMonster]

We have another addition to the flock of littles. My friend that gave me Pippin had one last Cochin chick that she offered me yesterday.
I think this chick has different colored parents because she’s red but not solid red. She has black and white bleeding through.
No matter though, I think she’s beautiful and she’ll be a good pullet for Frodo.
Meet Merry!

 

[BBZZZZTT]

We have another addition to the flock of littles. My friend that gave me Pippin had one last Cochin chick that she offered me yesterday.
I think this chick has different colored parents because she’s red but not solid red. She has black and white bleeding through.
No matter though, I think she’s beautiful and she’ll be a good pullet for Frodo.
Meet Merry!
View attachment 1428214 View attachment 1428218 View attachment 1428219 View attachment 1428220

Hobbit chickens

 

[CannedMonster]

Hobbit chickens

That’s how I think of bantam Cochins...Hobbit chickens!

 

[BBZZZZTT]

I opened the nest boxes and put out oyster shell!
Now just to wait.