I was wondering why the hens had stopped laying and thought it was due to stress from 2 of them being caught by a "rooikat" (caracal) some 10 days earlier. Meantime, Big Red Hen had made a nest and was broody - I actually thought she had been eaten as well, as she had disappeared for a day or 2. But I followed her one day and there were 23 eggs in her nest! I have interfered as little as possible - she is quite large and seems to have been able to cover them all.
Well great excitement - right on time, our 1st little chickychick arrived and fell out of the nest chasing Ma!!! Bless her!!! There are still plenty eggs, 4 missing but I do hear chirping - how long could it take for others to hatch? I've made her home as sheltered as possible, but it's still open to the elements and we are having rain and cold weather (I'm in South Africa and we are just coming out of winter). She is sitting outside with the little ;un under her - I presume she will go in again if it starts raining?? At what stage should I introduce chicky food??
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated - I am trusting that Big Red Hen knows best. So proud, you would swear I laid those eggs
Well great excitement - right on time, our 1st little chickychick arrived and fell out of the nest chasing Ma!!! Bless her!!! There are still plenty eggs, 4 missing but I do hear chirping - how long could it take for others to hatch? I've made her home as sheltered as possible, but it's still open to the elements and we are having rain and cold weather (I'm in South Africa and we are just coming out of winter). She is sitting outside with the little ;un under her - I presume she will go in again if it starts raining?? At what stage should I introduce chicky food??
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated - I am trusting that Big Red Hen knows best. So proud, you would swear I laid those eggs