BYC Café

[DobieLover]

Please share what happened

I went out to find blood splatters around the nest and even in the food container and thought one of the chicks had gotten injured somehow. Nope. It was Barb. One of the little darlings took a tiny chunk out of her wattle. Just after ascertaining the source of the blood, one of the chicks jumped up and grabbed mom by her lower eyelid. Barb clamped her eye closed and then tossed it off. I'd bet money that chick was Chip, named so because he was a chip off the ol' block... his blockhead dad that is.
You'd have to either read my coop article or go way back in the cafe to get the gist of that boy. There are days I'd like to pretend Fabio is a football and I am the field goal kicker looking to make the Superbowl winning score from the 60 yard line.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Rest of us know the relationship you have there Tonya ...

 

[igorsMistress]

I think you have their attention.....

Bacon flavored cookies will do that!

 

[bruceha2000]

Yes we cook entire package of bacon real crisp, cut to small bites.

You put all that AND a pound of bacon on one pizza?

That is a very makeshift nest I made for her in the brooder. I will make a different nest box for the upcoming season and fit it into the brooder.

Why make a nest in the brooder area? The hen will do it herself, just fill the place with a couple inches of pine shavings.

When I lived in New England they always died after fall because of the frost, but in Virginia they come back every year! It's so nice!

There are hardy mums that will overwinter.

She's leaving a trail of chicks behind

Those chicks need to learn to pay attention!

 

[Shadrach]

I have had several broodies, but I’ve only ever let one set so far. Luckily for me, she rather enjoyed my interaction with her during this time (especially during the three week set); however, I never got as close to the broody chicks as I have any of my bator chicks or purchased chicks.

Out of all my layers only one objects to me reaching in underneath her to retrieve eggs and she does not back down. She is hell on two dinosaur feet. When I see her, I just skip that nest til later.
I don’t think I’ve gone more than a few days without some kind of “chicken wound.” Simply picking them up affords me the opportunity for yet another bloody scratch on my old rotten-skinned hands and forearms. But I wear all my scars with the utmost dignity.

I've got rather unconventional views on chickens Mimi.
I know some people can't keep roosters but I can't imagine keeping chickens withoout at least one, or two, or maybe three or four.....
Of course, this means fertile eggs. Every hen here has gone broody for many years now and my policy is to let every hen that wants to sit and hatch do it at least once. Some have done it four or five times.
I've found broodies who are actually sitting very friendly in general if they know you. Part of that is because they go into a trance and are not fully aware of what you are doing. It's not until they are off the nest and standing that they revert to their normal behavior.
Once the chicks hatch, if I keep my hand low and steady I can slide it under most broody hens and I may get a halfhearted peck. However, once the broody leaves the nest it all gets much more complicated. Most of the hens here will let their chicks walk over my hands but they don't like me feeding the chicks and they definitely don't like me picking one up; so I don't.
I get the most grief at roost time from broody hens when they are trying to get their chicks into the coops. Tonight was a classic example. I was a bit pushed for time because Bracket had mislaid one of her chicks. I know Knocks chicks will go up the ramp no problem and like an idiot I tried to hurry Knock and her chicks in so I could look for Brackets chick. I bum shoved Knock a bit up the ramp and she let fly. She knows when she and her chicks should go to bed and definitely doesn't want me interfering. Fair enough. I don't know squat about raising chicks.

 

[Shadrach]

One of my old ladies. Her name is Spunky.
View attachment 2009898

She's a good looking hen.

 

[DobieLover]

Why make a nest in the brooder area? The hen will do it herself, just fill the place with a couple inches of pine shavings.

Because she went broody in the layers nest boxes and I wanted her on the ground. So that's were I set her up and gave her eggs to set.

 

[igorsMistress]

I've got rather unconventional views on chickens Mimi.
I know some people can't keep roosters but I can't imagine keeping chickens withoout at least one, or two, or maybe three or four.....
Of course, this means fertile eggs. Every hen here has gone broody for many years now and my policy is to let every hen that wants to sit and hatch do it at least once. Some have done it four or five times.
I've found broodies who are actually sitting very friendly in general if they know you. Part of that is because they go into a trance and are not fully aware of what you are doing. It's not until they are off the nest and standing that they revert to their normal behavior.
Once the chicks hatch, if I keep my hand low and steady I can slide it under most broody hens and I may get a halfhearted peck. However, once the broody leaves the nest it all gets much more complicated. Most of the hens here will let their chicks walk over my hands but they don't like me feeding the chicks and they definitely don't like me picking one up; so I don't.
I get the most grief at roost time from broody hens when they are trying to get their chicks into the coops. Tonight was a classic example. I was a bit pushed for time because Bracket had mislaid one of her chicks. I know Knocks chicks will go up the ramp no problem and like an idiot I tried to hurry Knock and her chicks in so I could look for Brackets chick. I bum shoved Knock a bit up the ramp and she let fly. She knows when she and her chicks should go to bed and definitely doesn't want me interfering. Fair enough. I don't know squat about raising chicks.

This makes me think of when my hen Ruby went broody. Once the chicks were out of the nest it was ok that I was around...until I had to deal with pasty butt and took a chick. After that she was extremely protective until they grew up and she was done being a mom. I was attacked more than once.

 

[Shadrach]

Morning! If I miss something important, sorry. I do not have the time to read all of the daily posts...
Happy Upcoming Anniversary, Sour!
I love the pics, Shad. How is the repair/ patch/ dig out work coming along?
You all have a wonderful rest of the day!

Thanks Margie. Oh you know, a bit at a time. I'll be glad when the section of track to the house gets cleared. Had to handball sacks of feed through the mud....it goes almost midway up my calf.

 

[Shadrach]

This makes me think of when my hen Ruby went broody. Once the chicks were out of the nest it was ok that I was around...until I had to deal with pasty butt and took a chick. After that she was extremely protective until they grew up and she was done being a mom. I was attacked more than once.

Yeah, health checking chicks can be hazardous.