California - Northern

[casportpony]

Someone on the FB group I'm on is asking about how long the broody cares for the chicks after hatch.  I have had a couple of clutches but never really paid attention to that.  Does anyone know the approximate time to "wean"?  I am guessing there is some variation but around 4-6 weeks?

I let my hens do their own weaning and the variation is huge! Some will stay with their chicks for months, others only weeks.

-Kathy

 

[CackleJoy]

This one is stuck in the egg. Been this far out since 11 pm last night. See the membrane on its head? It was on its back, unable to use gravity to help. So I turned it over. Now it has thrashed to where it is. During thrashing I can see raw skin - almost bloody. I'm afraid it is going to rupture. Should I remove it, put it in a shallow bowl of water and q-tip all the stuff off? Since I've seen its belly, I'm pretty sure it has completely absorbed the yolk.

 

[casportpony]

This one is stuck in the egg. Been this far out since 11 pm last night. See the membrane on its head? It was on its back, unable to use gravity to help. So I turned it over. Now it has thrashed to where it is. During thrashing I can see raw skin - almost bloody. I'm afraid it is going to rupture. Should I remove it, put it in a shallow bowl of water and q-tip all the stuff off? Since I've seen its belly, I'm pretty sure it has completely absorbed the yolk.

I'm no expert, but I would help that one for sure. -Kathy

 

[kmollyhughes]

I let my hens do their own weaning and the variation is huge! Some will stay with their chicks for months, others only weeks.

-Kathy

I agree. Once the mom has them integrated into our large flock, it's up to them when they are done with motherhood. We've never had any issues with babies being with all the other hens. Definitely makes it easier.

 

[EZFarms]

Checked the eggs so far no external pips

 

[ronott1]

This one is stuck in the egg. Been this far out since 11 pm last night. See the membrane on its head? It was on its back, unable to use gravity to help. So I turned it over. Now it has thrashed to where it is. During thrashing I can see raw skin - almost bloody. I'm afraid it is going to rupture. Should I remove it, put it in a shallow bowl of water and q-tip all the stuff off? Since I've seen its belly, I'm pretty sure it has completely absorbed the yolk.

Carefully help it. Watch for yolk that did not absorb and hernias.

Sorry if I sound like a broken record, but temps too low during incubation is the most common cause.

 

[tommysgirl]

I think I need broodies. How does one acquire a non-silkie broody? I keep hoping that a couple of my broody-looking (they like to guard the egg boxes and lay on the eggs but are always tempted away by food) gals will actually brood. So far nada.

Sussex, Java, Icelandic, heritage Rocks of most any color variety, Orpingtons and Australorps all spring to mind in addition to the Dorkings Ron mentioned. Also heritage breed barnyard mixes seem to have a good reputation in general. I have had an Australorp go twice, a barnyard mix once and a Buff Orp X once. I have only been keeping chickens for not quite 2 years.

Oh and Nankins...they are a bantam and there is a breeder in Santa Cruz who lists on ebay. They are on ALBC's critical list I think and they historically have been kept as broodies for game fowl and peas.

I have a broody hatch question...do you have more success when you give all of the same type of egg? Do yours go better when all the eggs are the same age? or does it make a difference? With my only broody girl on bot her hatches she got up within a day and a half of the first chick hatching and left the others. The second go around the little hybrid was the first out and he was OUT

...on all wheel drive... she had to get up to keep him from killing himself she also hatched two well mannered SPW but she left 3 unhatched SPW eggs in the nest. They were all fully formed and one had pipped internally. So what I am thinking is that more of the SPW would have hatched if I hadn't thrown the hybrid egg in there. Any experience with this?

Bumping my question: Anyone??

I think I wasn't clear. I wasn't wondering when she would stop mothering I was wondering if having two or more different types of egg under a broody increased the odds that she would have to get off her nest before they all hatched. My first broody hatch we gave her EE eggs and they all hatched. Second and third broody hatches had a variety of eggs and one is described above. Mama had to leave the nest to watch out for the first hatchling who was exploring the world unattended . 3 eggs of a different variety never hatched.

 

[ronott1]

Bumping my question: Anyone??

I think I wasn't clear. I wasn't wondering when she would stop mothering I was wondering if having two or more different types of egg under a broody increased the odds that she would have to get off her nest before they all hatched. My first broody hatch we gave her EE eggs and they all hatched. Second and third broody hatches had a variety of eggs and one is described above. Mama had to leave the nest to watch out for the first hatchling who was exploring the world unattended . 3 eggs of a different variety never hatched.

It can cause problems because of the hatch time. Sometimes a broody will jump off of the nest while the second, later hatching breed still needs heat.

EEs and Marans, no.

 

[EZFarms]

If there was chirping last night should the chicks pip sometime today?

 

[juststruttin]

She has great quality birds & is really nice to visit with.

Awww thanks