2018 Newbie Chat!

[CannedMonster]

Is the nest box easy for a small chick to get in and out of? Speaking from experience, if the opening to the nest box isn’t on ground level it won’t end well. We almost lost lazarus due to a nest box with a lip to keep the bedding in. She couldn’t get back into the box and nearly died. They may hatch early as well. Mine hatched 36hrs before they were scheduled to. Fingers crossed you have a wonderful hatch!

Thank you for mentioning that.
The nest box is a small white Rubbermaid tub that would normally be used for putting dishes in.
We cut out one side to make it easier for the girls to step inside it.
The cut part is covered with electrical tape so there’s no sharp edges.
Without being able to check it right now I think it’s only a couple of inches from the “floor”.
But if a chick was able to get on the other edge of the box it’s several more inches tall...maybe 5 or 6?

 

[llombardo]

Can you just put them in the enclosed area of the hutch and shut the door to the ramp area instead of including nest box? Do you have a picture of the hutch?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Thank you for mentioning that.
The nest box is a small white Rubbermaid tub that would normally be used for putting dishes in.
We cut out one side to make it easier for the girls to step inside it.
The cut part is covered with electrical tape so there’s no sharp edges.
Without being able to check it right now I think it’s only a couple of inches from the “floor”.
But if a chick was able to get on the other edge of the box it’s several more inches tall...maybe 5 or 6?

That is far too tall. Mine was only two inches and little lazarus couldn’t make it back in. None of mine were bantams either.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

I candled Pippin’s 2 eggs today and they look to be developing nicely.
I wasn’t in a really dark room when I did it, which is supposed to be the best way, but I could see the air cell, veining and the dark mass that is the chick.
I bought a rabbit hutch that we set up in the garage and I’m going to put her in there, nest box and all.
I’m afraid to let the chicks hatch in the coop with overnight temps in the low 20s.
I don’t know yet how good of a mother Pippi will be.
Judging by her determination at setting, she’ll be very good.
The eggs are on day 14 and should hatch somewhere around next Monday.
I’m starting to get excited about this!
And nervous and anxious

Emily has been showing broody behaviors also but it doesn’t seem to be “sticking”.
She spent half the day in the nest box yesterday but she would let me touch her without puffing up like Pippin does.
She let me take her egg too.
She got off the nest when I opened the big door but she kept picking up pieces of bedding and leaves and dropping them on either side of her.
That is nesting behavior.
She went back in the nest and was still there when the flock went to bed last night.
Then today she was out foraging with the rest and didn’t lay at all.
I won’t be letting her set if she starts getting serious.

So exciting! I've been reading way too many threads about hatching eggs lately, lol. It's all so exciting. I can't though, can only have 4 and they can't be roos. Will have to move out of the city....lol

 

[CannedMonster]

That is far too tall. Mine was only two inches and little lazarus couldn’t make it back in. None of mine were bantams either.

Oh jeez...
What do I use?
Should I just put them on the floor?
It sounds like I’d have to use a tray or something very shallow?
I’m concerned now about moving her because I’m reading a lot of broody threads that say the broody imprints on the spot she nested in not the eggs.
Moving her could break her broodiness.
She’s not familiar with the garage at all.
I just need her to hatch them for me.
I can raise them myself with my heat plate in the garage.
I’ll post pictures tomorrow.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Oh jeez...
What do I use?
Should I just put them on the floor?
It sounds like I’d have to use a tray or something very shallow?
I’m concerned now about moving her because I’m reading a lot of broody threads that say the broody imprints on the spot she nested in not the eggs.
Moving her could break her broodiness.
She’s not familiar with the garage at all.
I just need her to hatch them for me.
I can raise them myself with my heat plate in the garage.
I’ll post pictures tomorrow.

If you choose to move her, do it at night. Most people use a cardboard box. Easy to cut an entry. If your worried about her imprinting maybe make a small ramp that babies could use to get in and out?

 

[CannedMonster]

Guys I want to recommend reading this thread...”Pullet Keeps Fighting Cockerel” by aliciaFarmer
Be sure to read the whole thing.
It’s very interesting and the responses of azygous and Shadrach are spot on.

 

[CannedMonster]

A funny thing happened this morning.
DH let the bantams out at the same time as the LF and later I was reminded of why we stopped doing that.
After they’re first let out and again right before they go in to roost, the boys become very randy.
This morning Oliver jumped on poor Frodo and tried to breed him!
But before I could run over Angus came running to the rescue!
He jumped on Oliver with all his weight flapping his wings mightily and Ollie jumped a foot in the air and took off running
Frodo was alright but I’m not going to make that mistake again. He’s too weak to get Oliver off himself.
I think Angus thought it was Agatha, my black NN pullet, because ordinarily he wouldn’t care what Oliver does to Frodo.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Guys I want to recommend reading this thread...”Pullet Keeps Fighting Cockerel” by aliciaFarmer
Be sure to read the whole thing.
It’s very interesting and the responses of azygous and Shadrach are spot on.

Very interesting thread, I'm now following it. Thanks!

 

[CannedMonster]

Okay guys I have photos of the prefab coop where Pippin is with her eggs.
These are the white tubs I was talking about. I use the tubs in the big coop too.

The green wood lip there is about 3” tall.

Below is the set up in the garage I just put her in tonight along with Frodo.
She’s in the hutch (I added pine shavings to the whole space) with the same white tub and the eggs.
I’m going to create a ramp for the tub.
Frodo is in the dog crate on the floor.

The bars are about 1” apart...hopefully that’s close enough for chicks
If not I’ll figure something out.
The garage is cold but definitely warmer than the coop. Generally it’s 20 degrees warmer than outside temps. Right now anywhere from 40-55 degrees F.

I’m starting Frodo on Corid to see if he might have coccidiosis.
If he doesn’t improve I’ll try something else or take him to the vet for antibiotics.