Against the odds hatching thread (with pictures and questions)

[K0k0shka]

Broodies are a wonderful experience! I love having a good one around whenever possible. My best broody hatched and raised 14 chicks! She was one busy Mama.

Wow, 14! That’s impressive. Have you ever given a broody shipped eggs? They are so messed up, I don’t know if the broody would be better or worse for them than an incubator... If I hatch chicks again, whichever method I use, they’re gonna have to be Partridge Orpingtons. And I can’t find any anywhere near me at all...

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Wow, 14! That’s impressive. Have you ever given a broody shipped eggs? They are so messed up, I don’t know if the broody would be better or worse for them than an incubator... If I hatch chicks again, whichever method I use, they’re gonna have to be Partridge Orpingtons. And I can’t find any anywhere near me at all...

I haven't. Some on BYC have and it seems to work out ok. It might be tricky to time the arrival of the eggs so she's not setting overly long. Can certainly be worked around but it's something to consider.

If you'd like I can ask about Partridge Orp breeders in some of the Facebook hatching egg groups. It can be really difficult to find some of the small time breeders. They're great at breeding chickens not marketing. It would just give you more options if one of your hens ever goes broody.

 

[K0k0shka]

I haven't. Some on BYC have and it seems to work out ok. It might be tricky to time the arrival of the eggs so she's not setting overly long. Can certainly be worked around but it's something to consider.

If you'd like I can ask about Partridge Orp breeders in some of the Facebook hatching egg groups. It can be really difficult to find some of the small time breeders. They're great at breeding chickens not marketing. It would just give you more options if one of your hens ever goes broody.

Yes, if you could ask that would be great, thanks! I doubt I’ll find any within (reasonable) driving distance, so they’ll probably be shipped either way, but shipping from closer by has to be better than cross country from CA to MA. Even the CA eggs arrived in 2 days though. Would that be too much of an offset with the setting schedule in her head? I’ll look up hatching shipped eggs under a broody and read more about it.

 

[K0k0shka]

I built a new thing for the chicks. A dust bath inspired by one of my kids’ favorite local playgrounds:

I was so excited, but... they aren’t actually using it as a dust bath Just to climb it and scratch in it. I thought it might be too small, but their favorite dust bathing spot is much smaller - between two upright stumps against the fence. It’s a space barely one chick in size, and yet they keep shoving themselves in there and digging a hole to dirt bathe How can I get them to use the new dust bath? Should I change the sand with something else?

 

[coloradowildflower]

Love your dust bath!!!

 

[K0k0shka]

Love your dust bath!!!

Thanks! I wish the chicks did, too!

 

[aart]

Thanks! I wish the chicks did, too!

Well, you had fun building it and they may use it to bathe yet.

 

[K0k0shka]

Well, you had fun building it and they may use it to bathe yet.

True... At least I got the fun of building it. I might dig up some dirt and mix it in with the sand. Maybe then they'll like it better. They're like kids. You get them a nice toy, and they play with the box instead.

 

[K0k0shka]

From a couple of weeks ago, but still cute. They do like being near me, just to hang out or cuddle or pile up at my feet. They like to form a pile of fluff in my lap, too. All that handling is really paying off! And now that I've proven to myself that I can get them to like me even without treats, I've started giving them some treats, too (scratch, chopped tomatoes, strawberries, etc.) They used to always come to me when I walked in even before I started the treats, but now... now that I may have treats... MAN! They'll break themselves running and flying towards the run door as soon as they even just catch a glimpse of me from way across the yard So... We're REALLY good friends now I'm glad that when they've eaten all the treats, they don't go away, but stay with me and perch on my legs, preening themselves, or nap in my lap, or just sit down at my feet

 

[K0k0shka]

And a fun then-and-now, 38 days apart