Giving it a try! UPDATE! ***PICS ADDED***

[momof2monkeys]

So, my sweet 7 month old Banty, Nugget decided that she wanted to be a mommy. She's our only layer right now since the other girls are just 4 months old and haven't started yet. I think they are just being lazy!

My 8 year old say's "Nugget wants to be married so she can have babies."

I love that girl of mine.
We don't have a rooster so there will be no poultry wedding here! I got 3 fertile eggs today from a friend and Nugget took them like a pro.

I'm not sure if she'll make it the whole 21 days but her mom was a good broody, so we'll try.

 

[lizzy06019]

GOOD LUCK Nugget!! Keep us posted on how she does.

 

[Ban seabhag]

 

[momof2monkeys]

After 4 days of sitting, Nuggets comb became VERY pale. I was worried that she wasn't getting up at all to eat. I had put some food and a water dish within reach of her box but she just wasn't interested.

Stubborn Chicken!

So, I got some vitamins to put in her water and forced her to drink. I also had been scrambling eggs for her or bringing her Cream of Wheat. She started to look much better and ate some yogurt for me today.

Then she gobbled up the boiled egg. Her comb is red again and she's acting much better. Today, she even got off the nest to scrounge in the compost heap! I found her a nice juicy grub! YUMMY!

She's back on the nest and everything sems fine. I'm just such a nervous grandma! This is so new to both of us. I think I might candle tomorrow and see if my lame eyes can see anything.

 

[momof2monkeys]

Today is day 8 and I just candled. It was my first time to try it so I'm not sure of what I saw. I know in at least one (light brown) I saw veins, another one (darker brown) seemed to have a dark strip that could have been a vein. The other one (light green) had a dark mass, not huge but definitely there. My husband and I saw it move and of course I got excited but I'm thinking it was just because we had moved it in our hands.

I think I'm going to wait another few days and try it again. I hope I'm not doing any harm to the eggs.

 

[momof2monkeys]

Day 12 and I just candled again and...

I saw definite movement!!!!! It was awesome. As of today I have 3 viable eggs. I can't wait until I see fuzzy butts!!!!!

Hatch day should be on the 17.

I know anything can happen so I won't expect all 3 to hatch but it sure would be cool.

 

[momof2monkeys]

AAAAAAKKKKKK!!!!!!!
Day 20 and I just checked on my sweet mamma and I saw 2 eggs PIPPED!!!!!!! She is such a sweet girl, she just let me look with no problem. I didn't touch but it was SO HARD not to cuddle them and saw, "come on baby!"

So now, I just have to find something to do with my time until I see babies.

I plan on getting her and the babies out of the coop as soon as everyone is hatched (there's only 3 eggs anyway) so I guess I need to get my brooder ready. I have a friend with her own flock and she told me she never separated the mommies from the rest of the flock and she had no problems. I'm just worried that my BSL may hurt the babies. Should I be worried? or just let them be chickens?

 

[momof2monkeys]

Heading to Lowes. I can't stand the waiting! I feel like a zombie, except I can't stop thinking about BAABIEES! not BRRAAAIIINNS!

 

[pdsavage]

I allways separate mine cause im worried the others will kill the chicks...But i think this year ill let my red sussexs if they go broody raise em with the flock,since they will be free ranging....

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

Congrats! Keep us posted!