California - Northern

[liz9910]

Oh, Liz, I didn't know this - I am so sorry you had to experience that loss and go through the grieving process for a partner. The death of my sister in 2009 really affected me more than I expected. "More than I expected" - what a stupid statement, but it's true. Another puzzling effect is how each loss since then brings up those feelings. Yup - a chicken dying pushes me right back into the sadness. If I still had my sister, I wouldn't have the house and property I purchased with her death benefits. I bought my very first 8 chicks during the month she died - when i was renting - and we were talking about my new endeavor, which she thought was going to be great for me. I still want to call her up and tell her about everything, how her sort of namesake chick developed into my dominant rooster and what a great fellow he has become, how wonderful it's been to be able to buy my little homestead.... Oh, wait, I couldn't have done it if she hadn't died.

Sorry for rambling. You are in my heart today.

Yeah I couldn't even talk about it or him for a long time, too painful. Life just keeps right on going whether you want it to or not. Then it's the regrets, etc etc. But thank you for thinking of me today.

 

[liz9910]

Chicken math is magic. I have 10 chicks brooding, 3 that are beyond brooding but too small to put with the other chickens and a few eggs under a broody...and then Jeff is hatching 2 dozen eggs for me and so far has only tossed 8 eggs...which means...I am going to need to re-home a lot in the Spring haha! Plus I have 21 ducks...and about 6 more on the way. go me. :|

Didn't stop me from putting 10 eggs under my broody either lol.

 

[liz9910]

I think I'm safe in "borrowing" this picture from my friend Mary. These are my wellie babies that she hatched for me while we were out of town. #5 just hatched last night, so it's not pictured yet. From markings (not 100%) it looks like 2-3 are pullets and 1 looks like a cockerel.

That is so cute how they have their toes crossed in that pic

 

[zooweemama]

I think I'm safe in "borrowing" this picture from my friend Mary. These are my wellie babies that she hatched for me while we were out of town. #5 just hatched last night, so it's not pictured yet. From markings (not 100%) it looks like 2-3 are pullets and 1 looks like a cockerel.

Oh my goodness these guys are such cuties!

 

[zooweemama]

Didn't stop me from putting 10 eggs under my broody either lol.

hahaha! I just hope I can find some homes. I do not want them all! haha

 

[zooweemama]

And wellie eggs lined up for spring.

Chicken Math definitely got you!

I know right?? haha! I know this part is necessary to eventually end up with what I want. rofl I think CL will be my friend! haha

 

[ronott1]

Quote: X2!

Don't forget the FBC Marans too!

 

[zooweemama]

X2!

Don't forget the FBC Marans too!

haha I know! Good thing we will basically have 2 coops. Whew!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote: The one on the far right looks like the cockerel. 2 on the left look like pullets and the 3rd from the left could go either way. (head spot isn't completely defined but has the eyeliner)

 

[CAjerseychick]

If you want to try and trigger a broody - put a bunch of golf balls in a nest for them. Sometimes lots of egg shaped things in a nest will trigger the "broody" instinct in hens. It doesn't work for my EE (Americaunas) from the hatcheries though, broodiness has been bred out of them. Other than that - once they do go broody let them do their job. There is a really good thread on broody hens.. I haven't read much of it.. yet.. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

Good Luck! I bought oddball birds to try and get broodies - and so far a Silkie and a Silver Phoenix have obliged me!

I used white ping pong balls and within 24 hours my Betty had ripped all her chest feathers out and was sitting on them. haha!

Thanks I will do with the ping pong balls (I will wait til it gets a wee bit warmer a couple of weeks?) I didnt even expect these big birds to be laying so well.... Hey my Roo looks like the one in the photo but fatter (maybe too much gamebird feed hes only 8 months old I want to show him off, hes so sweet too we call him Big Poo and my 10 yr old likes to pick him up and cuddle him)....
(we have one ping pong ball, guess we gotta get more)...