BYC Café

[sourland]

Good morning Cafe.

The Great Auntie Mommy experiment took a strange turn tonight.
The peepers started distress peeping near night fall again tonight. Auntie Mommy was slowly clucking back to them, staring at them, straining and leaning towards them while still trying to stay on the eggs.
I lifted one to her. She looked right at it and very gently pecked it. No screaming from chick. It hopped out of my hand and ran back to the others. She watched it go and nearly came off the nest as the peepers increased their volume. I stuffed them as a group under the brooder plate and they quieted down. And Auntie Mommy rearranged her clutch and snuggled back down onto the nest.
Throughout the day I peeked in on them with the camera. The kids dust bathed next to the nest box under the baby bottle. One of the Sebrights stood on tip toe to look in the box at her. When the afternoon sun shone through to the back wall of the brooder they all sprawled out there while Astrid watched them.
I hope Astrid can hold out for her eggs to hatch. She seems increasingly engaged with the chicks. 11 days seems a long way away...

I am/have been concerned that bonding with the chicks may occur and result in her breaking broodiness.

 

[bruceha2000]

She seems increasingly engaged with the chicks. 11 days seems a long way away...

Better get the incubator, or another broody, on deck! That would be awful if she decided her eggs had hatched and she needed to take care of them.

 

[ronott1]

Good morning Cafe.



I am/have been concerned that bonding with the chicks may occur and result in her breaking broodiness.

It is a real concern. I have read that the presence of the chicks causes a hormone change in the hen.

I hope she keeps sitting!

 

[DobieLover]

I wonder if the little squirt sitting on the edge of the nest box is the same one that was standing on tip toe looking in at her yesterday.

 

[DobieLover]

Good morning Cafe.



I am/have been concerned that bonding with the chicks may occur and result in her breaking broodiness.

Better get the incubator, or another broody, on deck! That would be awful if she decided her eggs had hatched and she needed to take care of them.

It is a real concern. I have read that the presence of the chicks causes a hormone change in the hen.

I hope she keeps sitting!

A valid concern.
She's been around these chicks from day one though.
My only other incubator is in the psych ward.

 

[featherhead007]

A valid concern.
She's been around these chicks from day one though.
My only other incubator is in the psych ward.

That sounded funny "psych ward" Sorry if I took it wrong. (My broody, should be in one too)

 

[DobieLover]

That sounded funny "psych ward" Sorry if I took it wrong. (My broody, should be in one too)

It was meant to be funny. She belongs there.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning Cafe out the door early fasting blood draw this morning.. They check me about every six months .. Really could use the coffee about now I can bring pancakes

 

[DobieLover]

Oh boy! I'm putting out an APB for an available incubator to borrow...

The only ray of hope I have is that I watched her tuck and adjust the eggs when I went out to give her fresh water.
But I just heard her calling the chicks to her for food.

 

[DobieLover]

Morning Cafe out the door early fasting blood draw this morning.. They check me about every six months .. Really could use the coffee about now I can bring pancakes

Just routine bi- annual health checks? DH gets that now but the blood work is only annual.