Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[sjturner79]

Sooooo it would seem that ruffled feather pepper is getting broody rather than just reluctant to share her box. Is now sitting on hers and sparrows egg...hmmmm laid all of 12 eggs and broody already...i really like this chook. So my question is...should i let her sit? I have no issue with her rearing babies. More worried as its her 1st time and that she'll get bored with it quickly. I do have incubators though. Should i give her her own pen and see how she goes? Would love to not have to use the incubator.

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If you can move her and the eggs to a different nest and she stays then let her go for it.
You could leave her where she is but sparrow will keep adding eggs to that nest so you would loose them as they won't be ready to hatch when she takes the chicks out if she goes the distance.

Of course that assumes there has been a rooster with them for the last two weeks or they wouldn't be fertile anyway

 

[Deej211]

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If you can move her and the eggs to a different nest and she stays then let her go for it.
You could leave her where she is but sparrow will keep adding eggs to that nest so you would loose them as they won't be ready to hatch when she takes the chicks out if she goes the distance.

Of course that assumes there has been a rooster with them for the last two weeks or they wouldn't be fertile anyway

yep she bolted and wouldn't go back when i moved her. See how she goes the next few days if shes serious or not. Might leave her all day before moving next time. Will keep all the girls eggs for a few days for her

 

[Gold Coaster]

today to send an instant message to the Fair Trading Minister in your State, letting them know your expectations of true free range. We have provided our suggested text to help you, but do feel free to add your own comments or tailor it as you wish.
Originally Posted by SherrieC


Hello, I sent my instant message!
This is my reason for buying chickens last year as I like to buy my eggs locally from people's homes or from my local farmers market and I can't do that anymore due to regulations!

SherrieC you are a legend! Thanks so much for doing your part. Your added message is just what the Minister needs to hear and I hope that more will follow in your footsteps and sign the petition.

"Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."

Cheers,
Gold Coaster

 

[appps]

SherrieC you are a legend! Thanks so much for doing your part. Your added message is just what the Minister needs to hear and I hope that more will follow in your footsteps and sign the petition.

"Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."

Cheers,
Gold Coaster

Fingers crossed they listen. Have you shared on Facebook too?

 

[Sidhe13]

Sooooo it would seem that ruffled feather pepper is getting broody rather than just reluctant to share her box. Is now sitting on hers and sparrows egg...hmmmm laid all of 12 eggs and broody already...i really like this chook. So my question is...should i let her sit? I have no issue with her rearing babies. More worried as its her 1st time and that she'll get bored with it quickly. I do have incubators though. Should i give her her own pen and see how she goes? Would love to not have to use the incubator.

My concern would be that it is winter and **** cold. I had 6 chicks hatch with their mum 4 weeks ago and felt it was really hard keeping them warm. I still worry bout them. Maybe take some eggs out so she has a more manageable number, 12 is a lot! I put her in a cage by herself and made sure she got up once a day to eat, drink, poop, stretch. It was her first time too and she us a great mother!

 

[Sidhe13]

Mean chicken problems!
I have my entire flock of 27 in one large area. My 2 red hens have always been a bit snippy but now the rooster is too! I have 16 juveniles and 6 babies that are being harassed. The rooster and 2 reds chase them and peck them hard enough that they scream. The bullies have been seen trying to pin a victim in the corner and will "hunt" a wee one from across the pen. I am concerned that the rooster is getting in on it all too and am my wits end. I am considering rehoming the 2 reds and the rooster since I have 22 babies to replace them...or is this all normal behaviour towards chicks?

 

[sjturner79]

Mean chicken problems!
I have my entire flock of 27 in one large area. My 2 red hens have always been a bit snippy but now the rooster is too! I have 16 juveniles and 6 babies that are being harassed. The rooster and 2 reds chase them and peck them hard enough that they scream. The bullies have been seen trying to pin a victim in the corner and will "hunt" a wee one from across the pen. I am concerned that the rooster is getting in on it all too and am my wits end. I am considering rehoming the 2 reds and the rooster since I have 22 babies to replace them...or is this all normal behaviour towards chicks?

I would take out the aggressive hens. It's a bit odd for the rooster to be doing it. If the chicks were not raised by and with part of the flock then you need to keep them separate but able to see and smell the flock or they will be treated as unwelcome intruders and killed.

 

[Fancychooklady]

yep she bolted and wouldn't go back when i moved her. See how she goes the next few days if shes serious or not. Might leave her all day before moving next time. Will keep all the girls eggs for a few days for her

It is best to move them at night. It's also important to set the eggs together or you will have a split hatch and that rarely goes well.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I would take out the aggressive hens. It's a bit odd for the rooster to be doing it. If the chicks were not raised by and with part of the flock then you need to keep them separate but able to see and smell the flock or they will be treated as unwelcome intruders and killed.

Normally you would not integrate momma and babies into the main flock until 6 weeks of age , and even then it can be a ' delicate operation '.

 

[Sidhe13]

Mama and babies were never seperate from the rest, and the 17 juvies had 2 weeks of integration before moving into the main enclosure. Everyone was fine, the hens a bit snippy,but it has gotten worse and the rooster is joining in, even to the 6 babies who he previously ignored. It is stressing their mum out too.