Chicken mystery solved!

[lilmarie84]

At least she is safe for the time being good luck on getting her and the babies moved a safer spot for the little one later on

 

[rainee63]

Kinda hard to see... she's partially scrunched up under a roll of wire. I'm gonna try rabbit wire around her nest so any chicks will be safe til I can move the whole family. I've never had a hen hatch chicks, only my little I incubator. So - another learning curve.

 

[igorsMistress]

How exciting! Glad your little girl is safe.

Going to follow so I can learn from your experience if that's ok. I've purchased chicks twice, really don't want to go that route again.

 

[rainee63]

The chicks I bought from tractor supply this spring were all roosters except this one hen! I know that can happen no matter what, but incubating 2 clutches was soooo addictive! It'll be fun to share this new adventure!

 

[rainee63]

I tried to sneak and candle a couple eggs this morning but couldn't get a good look. All I saw was dark. But I was only using my phone flashlight. I tried to find a dark spot in the shed, so I could see better, but couldn't see much. Today I'm making a pen to put around the nest so... either way I guess we'll see. It still could go either way. No chicks or chicks in a few days. I hate suspense! But I also hate messing with the eggs to the point that I disrupt things. Which would be my ocd inclination. I'll get another chance to check them soon.

 

[rainee63]

Closest I can tell from the candling charts I studied today, we're probly around 16 - 18 days in. I modified a wooden crate I had and wrapped the bottom portion (triple wrapped) with wire. Then gently lowered it over eggs, nest and mama hen. She did not like me much at that moment! Much squawking ensued. I barred her escape route for a little while so she wouldn't fly off, never to return. When she's used to it, I'll move things around so she can come and go from above.
She is settled back on her eggs. I'm gonna leave her to herself, and check back at bedtime. I feel alot better about everybody's safety now. Hopefully my next post will be chick pics

 

[igorsMistress]

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Let us know how it goes!!!

 

[rainee63]

But I don't know what to do after they hatch... I guess their mom handles everything?

 

[igorsMistress]

Yes'm you just need to give them a safe place to live. I haven't had the experience but I've read that some folks have a separate area for mom and babies, some don't. But mom will take care of them.