Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

How about the little cheep at the end

Oooh, I didn't notice.

Now to go back and watch it again...

 

[MaryJanet]

Me too! (Minus Sansa). I thought it would be Phyllis but I decided on Hattie.

Did you notice how Sydney fanned her tail when Phyllis turned to look at her? I’m guessing that was a signal to stay away.

And the way Sydney lowered her body over the chicks and shot Phyllis a filthy look! Then after Phyllis decided snacks weren't worth the risk, Sydney raised her body again.

 

[Shadrach]

I can always candle it. I just don't know when to do so. Anyone know how long I should give the 3rd egg?

I would leave the egg where it is. Sydney will know if it's any good. Within the next 72 hours or so Sydney will try to get the chicks out of the nest and leave any unhatched eggs behind. That is the time to remove it and the broken shells. You will know when Sydney has finished sitting. Some hens break unfertile eggs open and she and the chicks may eat them.
The need to find food is what makes them leave the nest usually. This is why I put some food in the nest as soon as chicks hatch. It allows mum and chicks to stay at the nest site, which is safe for that bit longer. It also means mum can practice getting the chicks to come for food when she calls them without leaving the nest.
I would not have those marbles in the water dish!! Marbles are very slippery and a chick might slip and trap a leg between the marbles.
You will also need to watch for chicks that get over the lip of the nest box, but don't yet have the strength to get back in! that lip is quite high.
See if you can find something small for the water Bob. Even half an egg shell with a centimeter of water in it placed in a corner of the nest will do.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I would leave the egg where it is. Sydney will know if it's any good. Within the next 72 hours or so Sydney will try to get the chicks out of the nest and leave any unhatched eggs behind. That is the time to remove it and the broken shells. You will know when Sydney has finished sitting. Some hens break unfertile eggs open and she and the chicks may eat them.
The need to find food is what makes them leave the nest usually. This is why I put some food in the nest as soon as chicks hatch. It allows mum and chicks to stay at the nest site, which is safe for that bit longer. It also means mum can practice getting the chicks to come for food when she calls them without leaving the nest.
I would not have those marbles in the water dish!! Marbles are very slippery and a chick might slip and trap a leg between the marbles.
You will also need to watch for chicks that get over the lip of the nest box, but don't yet have the strength to get back in! that lip is quite high.
See if you can find something small for the water Bob. Even half an egg shell with a centimeter of water in it placed in a corner of the nest will do.

Your advice is always very practical Shad. I was wondering about the marbles too but I don't have any experience in that area.

So, could Bob put something like a flat rock or paver or a strip of wood about half the height of the lip against it to make a kind of stair for any chicks that fall out the nest?

 

[Shadrach]

Your advice is always very practical Shad. I was wondering about the marbles too but I don't have any experience in that area.

So, could Bob put something like a flat rock or paver or a strip of wood about half the height of the lip against it to make a kind of stair for any chicks that fall out the nest?

He could, but better still imo and in his keeping circumstances is to give Sydney and her chicks as much time at the nest site as Sydney will put up with. A ramp the length of the nest box would be ideal. Even a small step, flutter and hop is challenging for a chick a day or two old. If they have food in the nest they gain strength more quickly. The problem is, is that chicks wander and do fall out of the nest boxes here. I've been told by people here that some mums have picked chicks up but it isn't something I've seen. At this age they need the heat underneath mum and if they can't get back under her they will in worst case die of hypothermia.
This very rarely happens in 'natural' nests. Earth gives excellent traction for the chicks and mum and outside nests are usually either climbable or on the ground with at least one unobstructed path in. There is also almost always food available at outside nests in the way of passing insects, grubs and vegetation and of course some moisture from dew and rainfall.
Nest boxes as usually built by humans for chickens are a complete disaster.
I have wooden nest boxes here and they are nothing but trouble for the chickens. The bantams do reasonably well with them if they are small and packed well with bedding. They seem more adept at making good nests than the cross breeds and the Marans. They also seem to fidget less on the nests.

 

[BY Bob]

Me too! (Minus Sansa). I thought it would be Phyllis but I decided on Hattie.

Did you notice how Sydney fanned her tail when Phyllis turned to look at her? I’m guessing that was a signal to stay away.

Those behaviors are so interesting to watch. I caught that too. It was like an extra notice to Phyllis to steer clear.

 

[BY Bob]

I would leave the egg where it is. Sydney will know if it's any good. Within the next 72 hours or so Sydney will try to get the chicks out of the nest and leave any unhatched eggs behind. That is the time to remove it and the broken shells. You will know when Sydney has finished sitting. Some hens break unfertile eggs open and she and the chicks may eat them.
The need to find food is what makes them leave the nest usually. This is why I put some food in the nest as soon as chicks hatch. It allows mum and chicks to stay at the nest site, which is safe for that bit longer. It also means mum can practice getting the chicks to come for food when she calls them without leaving the nest.
I would not have those marbles in the water dish!! Marbles are very slippery and a chick might slip and trap a leg between the marbles.
You will also need to watch for chicks that get over the lip of the nest box, but don't yet have the strength to get back in! that lip is quite high.
See if you can find something small for the water Bob. Even half an egg shell with a centimeter of water in it placed in a corner of the nest will do.

OK, I will swap it out with something else. I put food in the nest for them yesterday. I could remove the lip. It is screwed on the front.

 

[aart]

OK, I will swap it out with something else. I put food in the nest for them yesterday. I could remove the lip. It is screwed on the front.

Or build a tiny ramp, then feed just outside.

 

[Shadrach]

OK, I will swap it out with something else. I put food in the nest for them yesterday. I could remove the lip. It is screwed on the front.

Talking about nest boxes rather than egg boxes, DL has an interesting project going on here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/byc-café.948525/post-22793710

 

[BY Bob]

Or build a tiny ramp, then feed just outside.
View attachment 2200496

Thanks. A ramp is also a possibility. I have the stuff to do that as well.