Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[CrazyChookChookLady]

It's hatch day!!!!

I can't wait to see what arrives!!!

 

[RoyalChick]

That's what I thought the second video was!

I realized that was a possibly interpretation after I posted. I have got good at ducking and not sure I really want my camera covered in liquid poo. I think they may be growing out of that phase and their poo is getting a bit less liquid. They remain prodigious poo-machines however!

 

[BY Bob]

I have to be honest and write the pictures above brought a huge grin to my face.
You'll understand when you look at what I provide.
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I like to have food and water in the nest for the first couple of days. Mum can and does call the chicks to eat and drink while still being able to hatch slow eggs and keep the newest hatched warm.
What you have is great for once they leave the nest but I would consider a small bowl of food and water in the nest for the first few days. Yup, they'll make a mess, tip the water over, poop in the food and generally turn the place into a slum. You just have to clean up a bit and refill.

OK time to adjust again. Cat food bowls I guess. Hmmmmmmm.

The chicks are so cute with their moms! I just can't wait!

 

[BY Bob]

You may not see the chicks for the first 12 hours after hatching. Some mums won't let them out. You can tell if they're hatching, or have hatched by mums behaviour and the noises the chicks make as they eat break the old shells.

What will mom do that is different? What should I be watching for?

 

[Shadrach]

OK time to adjust again. Cat food bowls I guess. Hmmmmmmm.

The chicks are so cute with their moms! I just can't wait!

Shallow bowls are ideal. I've used small saucers before and it's been fine. I don't put much more than a centimeter of water in to reduce the chance of one drowning. They don't drink much for the first day or so but it's nice for mum to be able to take a sip while sitting. They get dew fall in outside nests and of course rain.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Great advise. Thanks Shad. I know none of this. I am very grateful for the help.

Me too! Although I probably won't get more chicks for a few years I'm learning lots from your experiment Bob and Shad's advice.

The anticipation is palpable

 

[Shadrach]

What will mom do that is different? What should I be watching for?

Well, each mum is different.
Some mums will look you straight in the eye and say "what chicks?" when you look. But, as soon as you back away a bit she'll stick her head underneath and tell them you've gone and they can make noise now.
You can if super desperate to see, very gently lift mum a fraction from the front and look for broken shells. While you may not see the chicks, you'll know something has hatched.
Mum will talk to the chicks a lot more once they've hatched and you should too. For mum it's important that the chicks get to know her voice and if the chicks hear yours early on without mum showing any signs of stress the chicks will be less wary of you later.
It's hard to explain, but, you need to be at the nest for as long a period as you can manage and you'll get a better feeling of what's going on.
I've spent countless hours watching mums hatch. I love it and consider it time well spent.
Even before the house nest box I used to take a stool and go and sit by the nests.

 

[BY Bob]

Hattie Checks In

I am watching and recording constantly right now, as I am certain you all can imagine. Hattie came by for a visit. She is going to seem huge compared to the chicks!

 

[BY Bob]

Shallow bowls are ideal. I've used small saucers before and it's been fine. I don't put much more than a centimeter of water in to reduce the chance of one drowning. They don't drink much for the first day or so but it's nice for mum to be able to take a sip while sitting. They get dew fall in outside nests and of course rain.

I'm thinking something that isn't likely to tip over. I will kanoodle on this.

There is not as much spare space in my nesting boxes as there is in yours. Could I put them right in front of the box? I don't think I could get them in the box with her.

 

[Shadrach]

In general, you can do lots with the mum. Mum doesn't care much about herself at this point; she cares about the chicks. So, mum is touchable and even movable if absolutely necessary.
She will probably peck at you, but it's unlikely to be a hard peck. What will turn her into a ragging ball of flying feathers, not to mention stress her and the chicks out is if her chicks give a distress call.