McClureFlock
In the Brooder
Our 8 month old Buff Orpington hen went broody on Halloween 2017, so we said..."Why not?"
We've only ever bought chicks at the COOP, so this day was coming, especially since we have always had a rooster. We are coming up on year 3 as chicken owners. Additionally, we've always got chicks on the spring, so this was unexpected.
Obviously we were worried about their ability to survive freezing Oregon temps here in Klamath Falls, but figured that if mother hen thought it was time, then she would be responsible for failure or success. Turns out...so far so good. 1 chick hatched in day 21, 1 on day 22, 2 in day 23...and today she finally left the nest along with 2 unhatched eggs. Both eggs have developed chicks in them (which I ascertained via candeling) and move very slightly when in water, so I've put them in a makeshift incubator to see if there is any chance. No piping or chirping yet. I'll give it 2 days.
As far as the chicks that have hatched, they are all staying close to mom in a separate coop we used for our first chickens years back. We are mildly worried about them making it throughbrutally cold days and nights, but mama's plucked belly is so warm it's insane! Better than any man-made situation. At least it feels right letting them do it naturally.
Interestingly, as I watched them today, they spent lots of time out away from mom and her warmth, as they are and drank in 45 degree temps. This was surprising, especially after being indoctrinated that chicks 3 days old had to stay in 90 degree temps at all times.
Anyways, I'll give updates often on their challenges, growing pains and successes.
FYI--The Rooster is a Buff Orpington andwe are unsure what breed the chicks are (except the one yellow one which we know is a BO. The other hens we own that lay brown eggs are Speckled Sussex, Rhode Island Red, and Black Australorp. Also don't know how many are roosters and hens. Should be interesting.
Thoughts, questions, and advice are always welcome!!
We've only ever bought chicks at the COOP, so this day was coming, especially since we have always had a rooster. We are coming up on year 3 as chicken owners. Additionally, we've always got chicks on the spring, so this was unexpected.
Obviously we were worried about their ability to survive freezing Oregon temps here in Klamath Falls, but figured that if mother hen thought it was time, then she would be responsible for failure or success. Turns out...so far so good. 1 chick hatched in day 21, 1 on day 22, 2 in day 23...and today she finally left the nest along with 2 unhatched eggs. Both eggs have developed chicks in them (which I ascertained via candeling) and move very slightly when in water, so I've put them in a makeshift incubator to see if there is any chance. No piping or chirping yet. I'll give it 2 days.
As far as the chicks that have hatched, they are all staying close to mom in a separate coop we used for our first chickens years back. We are mildly worried about them making it throughbrutally cold days and nights, but mama's plucked belly is so warm it's insane! Better than any man-made situation. At least it feels right letting them do it naturally.
Interestingly, as I watched them today, they spent lots of time out away from mom and her warmth, as they are and drank in 45 degree temps. This was surprising, especially after being indoctrinated that chicks 3 days old had to stay in 90 degree temps at all times.
Anyways, I'll give updates often on their challenges, growing pains and successes.
FYI--The Rooster is a Buff Orpington andwe are unsure what breed the chicks are (except the one yellow one which we know is a BO. The other hens we own that lay brown eggs are Speckled Sussex, Rhode Island Red, and Black Australorp. Also don't know how many are roosters and hens. Should be interesting.
Thoughts, questions, and advice are always welcome!!
