BATOR vs. Broody on shipped eggs. Candling thru Hatch Pics!

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I had one silkie hen go broody and she started laying in the regular coop in a far corner. I have a little Barred Cochin hen that wanted to lay eggs in the same nest. Before long both girls were sitting side by side and sharing the eggs. I ordered silkie female chicks from MPC that arrived about 10 days ago. As luck would have it that's when the Silkie's eggs started to hatch as well. Each day I would take whatever chicks hatched overnight or throughout the day (I checked twice a day) and I'd bring in the newly hatched chicks into the house and add them to the booder with the chicks that I ordered from MPC. This afternoon I noticed that a new chick had hatched in the hen house and was standing in front of the two broody hens. Today became "moving day". I set up an extra large dog kennel and lined it with paper towels put the chicks inside it along with feed and water. I transferred two unhatched eggs, the new chick and the Silkie hen into the kennel. She immediately took a drink of water pecked at the feed and started talking to the chicks. The chicks stated pecking at the feed and eveyone settled in. When I went back and checked on them a couple of hours later one of the oldest chicks, a silver colored silkie girl, was peeking out at me from under the hen's wing. Adoption complete! Meanwhile, the Barred Cochin has taken over all the eggs that were left behind - and the hatching will continue.

Besides the two hens mentioned above, the coop & run are shared by 3 Cochin Roosters, 2 Silkie Roosters, A trio of Milles, 2 S. Faverolles Pullets & a pair of white Calls. None of the chicks were harmed and most spent several hours after hatching in the coop before I transferred them to the brooder in my sunroom. Yes, I'm heavy on roosters right now. The coons have taken 3 of my silkie girls that's why I ordered the female Silkie chicks from MPC. The neat thing is - every one gets along just great. Love my little flock!

 

[LarryPQ]

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I tried the maternity ward thing, andnone of the chickens put up with it. It is like the PLACE calls to them, not the nst itself. I have had much better luck leaving them be where they are.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I tried the maternity ward thing, andnone of the chickens put up with it. It is like the PLACE calls to them, not the nst itself. I have had much better luck leaving them be where they are.

Good to know. She's much happier back in the coop in her chosen spot!

 

[suebee]

I also leave the broody where she chooses unless it's way back where I can't reach her. About the 18th day I set up the permanent area on the coop floor. When the last chick hatches I carefully take all the chicks to the permanent area and then get the mother. All this happens within seconds. She doesn't care that's she's in a new place, as long as she's got her chicks.

I've learned this method the hard way. I tried moving her and the eggs to the new spot but she fought so hard to get out she damaged some of her eggs, killing the embryos. That's why I just wait now.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

She looks like a serious broody - look at that face!

 

[suebee]

ADozengirlz, Since they were shipped eggs, I'd be curious to know how many look viable after you candle. I'm also doing shipped eggs and I candled on day 9. Out of 7 there are 4 that are developing. They're due on the July 14th so I'll let you know if all hatched.
Let us know when you candle.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

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My thoughts were that I would take the babies from her when they hatch and put them in the brooder with the "Bator Chicks". Any chance this will be a problem for Mama bird?

 

[suebee]

Your broody mama will be so depressed.

Many do this but I could only do it under certain circumstances. That's totally up to you.
Again, let me know when you candle.

 

[mopargal1972]

It depends on what the "bator" chicks are. My personal experience with these chicks is that they are smaller than the LF breeds and tend to do poorly if too crowded. They usually end up on the bottom of the pile

. As adults they prefer a free-range or large outdoor run situation. They are not known to be broody and I have found their feed to egg ratio to be excellent. As adults they eat almost half of what my other layers eat, and lay as many eggs as my Black Australorps. I really hope they do well for you. Please keep us updated!

ETA: By the way, the labels that I got from you for the eggs were AWESOME. I will be ordering more

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Thanks for the compliment, the extra eggs and the advice!

My Silkie is a superstar, it has been in the mid 90s today and humid and while all the other girls are running around, beaks agape, she has been sitting on those 5 SSH eggs as cool as a cucumber! It's fascinating to me!

BTW: I have some shipping labels I want to make you to send with your next order, so REMIND ME!!!