Pa funnyfarm
Songster
- Jan 19, 2013
- 19
- 39
- 102
I’ll start with - I’ve had experiences with each of the flocks I chose over the years. My only other broody hen was 6 month old silkie with a hidden clutch of eggs ( it was cold December and I thought they’d stopped for winter oops) In house in big kennel with her until she was done at 6 weeks and she went easily back with her little flock And not having space the chicks became 2 starter flocks for excited people. Its 9 years later, and my little silkies have been gone since last winter. Started a new coop set up and excited to have my first ever true bantams, some hatchery mystery and some chosen. I learned - broody is contagious. Allowing that first puller to keep a few eggs encouraged most of my 10. All but 4 broke quickly. I learned a china marker can’t be how eggs get marked when others keep laying in the nest. It rubbed off. Learned how to candle eggs. Cool by the way. Most all of this from reading BYC
I’ve come to a what was I thinking. 4 hens sharing 2 nests. Nest 1 a Mille fluehr d’Uccle and a Cochin. Separate didn’t work. They were right back together with 12 eggs from all the girls so from tiny to small. I was working on lower nest on day 16 when I heard peeps. Moved both to under nest boxes with the nest box. They hatched out 8 over a week from first 5 to last 3. Took nest box and gave them a better box, screen over wire to keep others away. Coop area inside is 4x8 with 14 pullets and cockerels.
2 of theirs have died, one was a week and a half old bigger one found in nest when they came out in am. I let them have the coop awhile While all others closed out into enclosed with roof run. 2nd was one of the tiny younger ones. They had the other 6 out and I found this one cold in their little pen. Under mama warmer inside and seemed to be ok but died the 2nd day. The next day, they took 4 big ones out. Ignored the chirps of the littles who got part way and stopped. I cleaned, and when they came back they walked right over the little chirps who the Cochin used to keep under her. As they went in, I turned them around so they’d follow but she pecked them hard as they tried to come back in. Took them in and they are still in, this us day 2. Eating and all fine but inside in brooder bin. I’ll continue a part 2
I’ve come to a what was I thinking. 4 hens sharing 2 nests. Nest 1 a Mille fluehr d’Uccle and a Cochin. Separate didn’t work. They were right back together with 12 eggs from all the girls so from tiny to small. I was working on lower nest on day 16 when I heard peeps. Moved both to under nest boxes with the nest box. They hatched out 8 over a week from first 5 to last 3. Took nest box and gave them a better box, screen over wire to keep others away. Coop area inside is 4x8 with 14 pullets and cockerels.
2 of theirs have died, one was a week and a half old bigger one found in nest when they came out in am. I let them have the coop awhile While all others closed out into enclosed with roof run. 2nd was one of the tiny younger ones. They had the other 6 out and I found this one cold in their little pen. Under mama warmer inside and seemed to be ok but died the 2nd day. The next day, they took 4 big ones out. Ignored the chirps of the littles who got part way and stopped. I cleaned, and when they came back they walked right over the little chirps who the Cochin used to keep under her. As they went in, I turned them around so they’d follow but she pecked them hard as they tried to come back in. Took them in and they are still in, this us day 2. Eating and all fine but inside in brooder bin. I’ll continue a part 2
if I ever do it again I’d def have all ready ahead.And not multiples !
