Chick Starter is a Huge Hit with the Flockers

[Blooie]

I never seem to have a broody when I want one, so I just duplicate her as closely as possible with MHP pour in the run. Some day I’ll have the fun of watching a chicken family from first set to weaning them. <sigh>

 

[Farmgirl1878]

@Blooie, I never even thought about letting anyone who went broody sit on a clutch, and then I had two at the same time! Goldie is the alpha, Blue is waaaaaay lower on the pecking order. Unfortunately, the rest of the girls kept kicking Blue out of the nest box, so she finally gave up... Next time she goes broody (and she will cuz she’s a Blue Cochin) I plan on building her a nest box of her very own and blocking off an area of the coop for her. I worry tho, that she won’t be as good a momma because she isn’t aggressive enough to chase off the others who might want to check out the chicks...

 

[Blooie]

@Blooie, I never even thought about letting anyone who went broody sit on a clutch, and then I had two at the same time! Goldie is the alpha, Blue is waaaaaay lower on the pecking order. Unfortunately, the rest of the girls kept kicking Blue out of the nest box, so she finally gave up... Next time she goes broody (and she will cuz she’s a Blue Cochin) I plan on building her a nest box of her very own and blocking off an area of the coop for her. I worry tho, that she won’t be as good a momma because she isn’t aggressive enough to chase off the others who might want to check out the chicks...

Just watch her make you eat those words! Big difference between aggression and protection.

 

[Debdeb70]

@Blooie, I never even thought about letting anyone who went broody sit on a clutch, and then I had two at the same time! Goldie is the alpha, Blue is waaaaaay lower on the pecking order. Unfortunately, the rest of the girls kept kicking Blue out of the nest box, so she finally gave up... Next time she goes broody (and she will cuz she’s a Blue Cochin) I plan on building her a nest box of her very own and blocking off an area of the coop for her. I worry tho, that she won’t be as good a momma because she isn’t aggressive enough to chase off the others who might want to check out the chicks...

I have white cochins. And I allowed 1 to claim a small clutch & I have to tell you that she is a Fantastic Momma! The Buff Orpingtons & other Cochins do not mess w the babues bec she pounces on them if they even look at them for too long. Lol.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

@Debdeb70, I would love for her to be able to raise a clutch! Can you imagine a bunch of fluffy Blue Cochin x BLRW chicks!? How gorgeous would they be!

 

[ChickNanny13]

I’ve never tried fermenting feed. Our environment is extremely humid and chock full of mold and mildew, so not sure if that would work well here. I’d do everything in the house of course, but still...
My girls (and boy) get a little scratch when they come into the run when called and the occasional scatter of mealworms or BOSS.

It gets hot & humid here too Been fermenting for several years now and never had an issue with it. I have a only 4BO, adding to mix about 2cups daily and keep it in the house.