California - Northern

[chickee]

Quote: I'm sorry

Did you candle them? White eggs are so easy to see into. I love incubating the light eggs because of it. Hope you get some chicks for her.

 

[lualshannon]

I have a question:


One of my Orpington hens has been broody for the last 4 days, and she is acting quite determined to incubate the wooden door knobs I use as fake eggs. Also, I have eggs incubating, which are in their 10th. day, and am procrastinating about the idea of giving these eggs to my broody hen. Since she has been sitting for only 4 days, the eggs would be hatching a week earlier than than the normal incubation period, which I am wondering if it would cause any problem of her accepting, and bonding with the chicks?


Or? would it be better to give her the eggs on their 19th. day, which she would be two weeks into incubating the door knobs, and perhaps hatching process would help the integration? Or perhaps, the best scenario is to try to get her out of broodiness? I've had hens brood for a month or longer to hatch eggs; but, never faced the dilemma that I am in at the moment.


I would very much appreciate your expert opinions.


Lual

Hi Lual,

I would wait a bit(a couple of days) before putting the eggs under her to make sure she is a dedicated broody. You can put the eggs under her any time during the 21 days. She will stop setting and move into Mom mode a couple of days after they hatch. I have moved chicks under a broody hen after they hatched and that would work too.

Do you want her to raise them? That is really cute to see.

Thank you for your reply, Ron!

Yes, it would be nice if the babies had a mother. I think they are happier, and better for them in many respects; also, as you have mentioned, it is the most wonderful experience to see the love and devotion of the mothers. As per your suggestion, I will wait for several days to make sure she is dedicated.

Lual

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: Yes, Pictures Please...

Quote: It still amazes me that you can get ANYBODY to line up in a row like that.

I would like to get growing up pictures of that yellow headed boy - very different coloring - interesting to watch what he grows up like... I have no clue on what makes a good Golden Cuckoo - but I think he is handsome already. He is the one I would pick.. just because he is different.

 

[liz9910]

Quote:
I candled them before putting them under her and one more time, didn't see anything but was hoping for the best lol. Oh well it's only 3 bucks out of my pocket and I ate the other 6 eggs anyways lol.

 

[AlpineButterfly]

Thanks

They are from my Golden Cuckoo Marans pullets I hatched this year from shipped eggs. I decided to do a test hatch to see what my GCM rooster I got from a friend x my pullets produce. They have been laying for less than 2 months so I am surprised I got such a good hatch.

New pictures I just took . . .

These are the girls~

These are the boys~ They were less cooperative

They're all so cute! Even if they aren't good a posing for pictures.

I was looking at baby pictures of my girls yesterday, and their awkward pre-teen days, and my attempts at taking their candid portraits. Why can't I just stay home from work every day and watch them grow up?

 

[lawatt]

Thank you for your reply, Ron!

Yes, it would be nice if the babies had a mother. I think they are happier, and better for them in many respects; also, as you have mentioned, it is the most wonderful experience to see the love and devotion of the mothers. As per your suggestion, I will wait for several days to make sure she is dedicated.

Lual

hey there -- i was in a similar situation this summer, when a second girl went broody a week after her sister, and i didn't want to start even more eggs -- so i divided the ones under the first broody and gave half to her sister, so they hatched after roughly two weeks of her broodiness -- and she shifted right into Mom mode like clockwork. so doorknobs or eggs, i expect it will work out either way!

 

[alibra]

Quote: buy some hatchery or breeder white egg layers, like anconas or andalusian

 

[CackleJoy]

He is gorgeous! Who did you get your GLWs from?

WELL, they said I wouldn't get nice birds. They said they'd only be good for laying eggs. I've seen pictures of hatchery laced Wyandottes and it's true that sometimes they look cuckoo not laced. Evidently McMurray Hatchery throws out decent stock now and then

We got 2 cockerels on accident and one went in the pot because he was so WRONG - built like an ostrich all legs with a round body. The hens are near perfect (IMO). I'd like to go to a show and see how close to type they are. Decided to keep a trio for breeding. Pretty egg layers if nothing else!

This is a blurry picture but look at the nice lacing. The comb is still small and flat. Her tail isn't upright. I need to find out what SOP is. Regardless I think we are going to hatch some eggs in Feb or March.

Out in the sunshine she just glows.


Can you tell that we are excited our birds turned out so nice?

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Thanks

They are from my Golden Cuckoo Marans pullets I hatched this year from shipped eggs. I decided to do a test hatch to see what my GCM rooster I got from a friend x my pullets produce. They have been laying for less than 2 months so I am surprised I got such a good hatch.

New pictures I just took . . .

These are the girls~

These are the boys~ They were less cooperative

you have such a chick photoing talent lol

 

[Nikon]

They are big, fat babies and very frisky! Sweet natured too. These will be hard to part with!

I just can't believe Ellie hasn't started laying yet! Is she out some during the day and have the opportunity to hide eggs?

Not really. We only let them free range when we are home. Usually Saturday and Tuesdays.