California - Northern

[OR4-hmom]

Yes, yes it would!

Still wouldn't do me much good, mind you

You are only 2 hours from me, unfortunately I'm 4 hours from Redding.

 

[tommysgirl]

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.

That is what I thought but didn't know if anyone had experienced or heard that it was true. So that settles a few things for me. I prefer broody hatching and from now on I will only give them 1 type of egg per clutch

First up for an unproven girl are more of the CG hybrids. I am dying to figure out if Del X CG makes a sex link. I was told that it doesn't but my cockerel hatched black as coal with a creamy white head spot. No girls hatched and I feel pretty confident this will make a great dual purpose hybrid so if they are a sex link I will be super happy about it.

Second will be Dells

Third I am going to try again with the Silkie over D'Uccle cross

Beakface will get Mottled Javas ...

Setting up breeding pens after a fashion in the next couple of weeks. Also going to add more golf balls to nests and install curtains. You guys have given me chick fever but I suppose waiting for broodies is good for my character!






The hybrid cockerel...true to his newly hatched self has been making several attempts and has sealed the deal a couple of time. Funny he has been raised with Ozzie since he hatched and Ozzie doesn't seem to mind him going after his ladies. Oz did chase off a pea hen yesterday...did my heart good. Those PCSers are the ultimate feed theives.

 

[tommysgirl]

Bantam cochins are supposed to be one of the easiest breeds to convince to go broody. My marans sit at least once a year and up to 3x. I have a broody keyword serch on craigslist I look for people trying to ditch their broodies. I got my starter silkies and dolly that way. My turkeys are INSANE broody. 3-5xa year if you have strong eggs and space it is something to consider.
Imo if the yolk is absorbed I will help. I just make sure to keep that umbilicus clean and bacteria free.


The practical way around this is to take the chicks and put them in a brooder for a few days and let her finish hatching. I have never had an issue putting them back.

If you have a broody that has favorites and they are more advanced you can have issues. But usually its ok.

I hope to hatch or pick up some bantam cochins this spring/summer I am also thinking about Nankins but they don't match my color scheme

Uhhmmm that second part is a total "No excrement Sherlock" slap myself upside the head "duh" moment. Thanks!!! that is way better then proactively trying to hatch the potential early ones in an LG. Now with luck most of my broody action will happen when I can be home in the summer.

 

[EZFarms]

So i made sure i wasnt just hearing things i opened the incubator enough to get my finger in to tap the egg softly and i could hear the chick tap back so im guessing thats good? Neither og the other eggs have made a sound

 

[CackleJoy]

So i made sure i wasnt just hearing things i opened the incubator enough to get my finger in to tap the egg softly and i could hear the chick tap back so im guessing thats good? Neither og the other eggs have made a sound

That is always sad when you get down to one. Except its a good reason to find another chick to keep it company. Always can find a reason for more chicks!

 

[ronott1]

So i made sure i wasnt just hearing things i opened the incubator enough to get my finger in to tap the egg softly and i could hear the chick tap back so im guessing thats good? Neither og the other eggs have made a sound

The tapping back it good!

It takes a lot of tapping to make a pip. The chicks have to work very hard to get out of the shell.

 

[EZFarms]

Well ive got a few hatchery chicks left so if this one hatches ill put it with ghe others. so its not good that i havent heard amything from the others?

That is always sad when you get down to one. Except its a good reason to find another chick to keep it company.  Always can find a reason for more chicks!

 

[EZFarms]

when does it get to a point that they need help? My hens shells are somewhat think is that gonna mess with the pipping?

The tapping back it good!

It takes a lot of tapping to make a pip. The chicks have to work very hard to get out of the shell.

 

[ronott1]

when does it get to a point that they need help? My hens shells are somewhat think is that gonna mess with the pipping?

The only time they cannot get out is if the egg tooth is broken or missing. The egg tooth is an amazing thing!

 

[ronott1]

Here is a link that explains when and how to help:

Guide to assisted hatching