Giving chicks to a broody hen

[Noah]

Congrats to you too mylilredhen.

Wow, 10 chicks!
I was worried about putting four under Sparkles.
The babies came out from under her to eat and drink.

 

[Noah]

I did this with my brooding Cochin. I had ceramic eggs under her and the day I received my 5 partridge Cochin chicks I planned a covert nighttime operation!!
Took one egg at a time palming in a chick to replace it

I just saw this pic!! She is beautiful.
Covert operation is right.
Sneaking around in the dark with a flashlight-lol
Hubby got into it too though, brought me a better flashlight.

 

[BoTime]

So happy to see it worked out. I've been lurking for a while & this is the first subbing I've done. I was rooting for you! :-D

 

[Noah]

Thanks for the kind words BoTime.
I just checked on them and they are all snuggled under her.
They came out earlier to eat and drink.
I have pics. (as soon as hubby wakes up, I'll get help posting them)
It was an exhausting night but really worth it.
Sparkles even looks happier now.

 

[Noah]

Wow, we can go from happy to cranky very quickly.
I heard the babies chirping frantically, went in to check.
The overwhelming stench hit me. I'm assuming that was a broody poop.
Oh dear Lord!! I have never seen or smelled anything like that in my life.
The babies were hiding in the far corner and Sparkles was "hissing" at them.
Now the babies are in a corner huddled together away from her.
Dang!! Maybe I got too excited too soon.
This is going down hill.
I'll watch and wait. Maybe that explosive poop just upset everyone.
(I had to do house keeping as fast as I could but I had to clean that up)
The room is fairly warm but the chicks will need a heat source eventually.
Fingers crossed that will be Sparkles.

 

[mylilredhen]

If I did this right, here's my girl with her 10 charges

I'm sorry you're having problems; wish I could offer advice. Maybe try it again tonight?

 

[Noah]

They look really good mylilredhen!
Your babies look to be the same age as mine.
What a sweet little hen.
Very pretty girl.

My chicks are still sitting in a corner.

I'll wait it out until tonight.
I think in this case all of the eggs should have been removed last night when I did the switch.
Sparkles seems to be protecting that last egg from the chicks.

 

[Noah]

Well, tuck in time came and went.
Sparkles was having none of it.
No babies for her.
Too focused on the last egg I think.
She "flared" up at the babies when they tried to eat.

I'm pleased with the learning aspect (on my part-yeah, I needed a pat on the back-hard two days) and I think Sparkles did a fantastic job with the limited knowledge we both had. (she of course handled it all better than me.
I read so much and had so many people here helping me.
That will always be education I can keep. (always learning)
I did step out of my comfort zone and maybe Sparkles was aware of that.

No chicks were harmed and Sparkles seems content to have them removed.
I'm exhausted but I get to be "mommy" again.
I hope the kiddos will "take me back."

This chicken stuff is really hard,
Rewarding but every chicken really is different.
Sparkles used to live with a horse and not chickens, she loves my dogs but maybe chickens freak her out-lol
I dunno, but thanks again for all of the support-it was comforting to know there were people out there ready to help.
(nice to have a melt down with friendly people to encourage you)

 

[BoTime]

So, the circumstances weren't quite right this time. That's OK. There is always next time. I'm still happy you brought us along for the ride, so thank you for that.

 

[mylilredhen]

Sorry it didn't work out. I half expected to have mine back in the brooder box myself, but I guess I was lucky. We all learned a lot and can try again next time too.