Hatching with 2 broodies

[Teila]

Good Sunday morning Team Broody ... or should I say, Team Busy? Lots of posts to catch up on

CL8, I do not have any experience with LF, only having bantams, but Cilla managed to sit on 9 bantam eggs. If it was me, I would try 8-9 and see how she manages. Depending on how she goes as a mumma, Betty may just stay with the chicks on the ground. Watching Cilla with her bubbies I am sure she would not jump into the nest box and leave them alone. Again, I agree with TG and would consider setting something up for her a bit lower to or on the ground.
You have a beautiful set up CL8, really nice

16 paws, welcome back Marie
Yeah, I do remember our synchronised broodies.
I am sorry to hear of your loss also .. not a good couple of days all round
I hear you with regards the roos .. my little four and half weeks olds already look like they want to kill each other. They are getting pretty serious about their fights .. I have to be honest though, they look kinda cute with their little feathers all ruffled up and trying to out-stare each other.

Thank you for the hug TGG
I just knew if I read any posts I would just start blubbering again but I am better today. It is amazing what two days spent totally with my girls and bubbies can do towards healing the grief. I was a little concerned about how Tina would cope but she seems to be OK .. a treat of watermelon yesterday was very much enjoyed. Soon, all going well, Tina and Dusty with have Cilla back and also Tammy and Blondie.
Looking forward to some more pictures of the bubbies!

Cilla's bubbies have grown to the point that I am seriously running out of room for them and the Chateau is wall to wall chickens with the 5 of them and Cilla. I have a lady coming over this afternoon to look at my 3 little boys. She lives in the country and has Pekin girls and is looking at breeding them. She mentioned that she may be interested in all three as part of her program. Of course I am wary but I will suss her out this afternoon and see what I think. I have heard some not so nice stories about what happens to Roosters but I can't keep them and I think I am a good judge of character.

So, all going well, Cilla, Blondie and Tammy will be able to join Dusty and Tina this afternoon and we will be back to one flock

As much as I have thoroughly enjoyed the two hatches, I do not think I will going down that road again. Not being able to keep the roosters and trying to find good homes for them is really difficult. I worry what may happen to them. I am thinking that if I need to, I might just stick with buying pullets. I feel like I am being mean bringing the little boys into the world and not keeping them. Liz, I think I understand even more now your determination in wanting to keep Desi!

 

[chickencrazy999]

Good Sunday morning Team Broody ...  or should I say, Team Busy? Lots of posts to catch up on 

CL8, I do not have any experience with LF, only having bantams, but Cilla managed to sit on 9 bantam eggs.  If it was me, I would try 8-9 and see how she manages.  Depending on how she goes as a mumma, Betty may just stay with the chicks on the ground.  Watching Cilla with her bubbies I am sure she would not jump into the nest box and leave them alone.  Again, I agree with TG and would consider setting something up for her a bit lower to or on the ground.
You have a beautiful set up CL8, really nice

16 paws, welcome back Marie
Yeah, I do remember our synchronised broodies.
I am sorry to hear of your loss also .. not a good couple of days all round
I hear you with regards the roos .. my little four and half weeks olds already look like they want to kill each other.  They are getting pretty serious about their fights .. I have to be honest though, they look kinda cute with their little feathers all ruffled up and trying to out-stare each other.

Thank you for the hug TGG
I just knew if I read any posts I would just start blubbering again but I am better today.  It is amazing what two days spent totally with my girls and bubbies can do towards healing the grief.  I was a little concerned about how Tina would cope but she seems to be OK .. a treat of watermelon yesterday was very much enjoyed.  Soon, all going well, Tina and Dusty with have Cilla back and also Tammy and Blondie.
Looking forward to some more pictures of the bubbies!

Cilla's bubbies have grown to the point that I am seriously running out of room for them and the Chateau is wall to wall chickens with the 5 of them and Cilla.  I have a lady coming over this afternoon to look at my 3 little boys.  She lives in the country and has Pekin girls and is looking at breeding them.  She mentioned that she may be interested in all three as part of her program.  Of course I am wary but I will suss her out this afternoon and see what I think.  I have heard some not so nice stories about what happens to Roosters but I can't keep them and I think I am a good judge of character.

So, all going well, Cilla, Blondie and Tammy will be able to join Dusty and Tina this afternoon and we will be back to one flock 

As much as I have thoroughly enjoyed the two hatches, I do not think I will going down that road again.  Not being able to keep the roosters and trying to find good homes for them is really difficult.  I worry what may happen to them.  I am thinking that if I need to, I might just stick with buying pullets.  I feel like I am being mean bringing the little boys into the world and not keeping them.  Liz, I think I understand even more now your determination in wanting to keep Desi!

Oh Hi just noticed you where in Australia so it's morning for you then it's about 10:30pm over here in the UK and every body in bed Lol how interesting You mentioned two hatches I know about the silkie hatch but what was the other

 

[Teila]

Oh Hi just noticed you where in Australia so it's morning for you then it's about 10:30pm over here in the UK and every body in bed Lol how interesting

You mentioned two hatches I know about the silkie hatch but what was the other

G'Day .. yep, guilty as charged .. an Aussie

It is nearly 9am Sunday morning and I am trying to talk myself into doing the housework before returning to work tomorrow.
Cilla has been broody three times since the Silkies were born 5 months ago and I caved on the third time and purchased some Pekin Cochin eggs. These are the little guys I have now and they are 4.5 weeks old. There are some pictures of them in past posts. 7 of 9 hatched, sadly two passed away on their first night. I am keeping two of the 5 and the 3 little boys are the ones I am hoping to rehome

 

[chickencrazy999]

G'Day .. yep, guilty as charged .. an Aussie 
It is nearly 9am Sunday morning and I am trying to talk myself into doing the housework before returning to work tomorrow.
Cilla has been broody three times since the Silkies were born 5 months ago and I caved on the third time and purchased some Pekin Cochin eggs.  These are the little guys I have now and they are 4.5 weeks old.  There are some pictures of them in past posts.  7 of 9 hatched, sadly two passed away on their first night.  I am keeping two of the 5 and the 3 little boys are the ones I am hoping to rehome

Ahh ok what sex did the silkies turn out to be?

 

[Teila]

Ahh ok what sex did the silkies turn out to be?

If you remember, Cilla hatched 5 from 5. I kept the two which I thought were girls and who are now 5 months old. Suzi, who I lost a couple of days ago, the jury was still out on her gender but swaying towards a pullet. Tina, who I still have has not layed as yet but all signs also point to pullet .. still waiting for proof!

 

[chickencrazy999]

If you remember, Cilla hatched 5 from 5.  I kept the two which I thought were girls and who are now 5 months old.  Suzi, who I lost a couple of days ago, the jury was still out on her gender but swaying towards a pullet.  Tina, who I still have has not layed as yet but all signs also point to pullet .. still waiting for proof! 

oh yes sorry I haven't checked this thread in ages It will be day 12 for the eggs tomorrow but for you today I am guessing Lol

 

[chickencrazy999]

I'm of to sleep now Team Broody Good night

 

[Teila]

I'm of to sleep now Team Broody Good night

Lol .. yeah, the time zone differences mess with my head also!

Housework time for me! Sleep tight ZZZZZZzzzzzzz

 

[chickenlickin8]

Thanks Tommygirl and texgardengal. Another question! Can I add some feed store babies to the chicks that hatch within the first couple of days? Will mom know she didn't hatch them?

Oh and what will Betty do the shells as the chicks hatch? Do I need to remove them like I do in the incubator? So many little questions.

Thank You all for the advice and being so helpful. I pick up the fertile eggs tomorrow morning. I'm getting a dozen but putting 6-8 eggs under Betty.

 

[lizgarf]

Thanks Tommygirl and texgardengal. Another question! Can I add some feed store babies to the chicks that hatch within the first couple of days? Will mom know she didn't hatch them?

Oh and what will Betty do the shells as the chicks hatch? Do I need to remove them like I do in the incubator? So many little questions.

Thank You all for the advice and being so helpful. I pick up the fertile eggs tomorrow morning. I'm getting a dozen but putting 6-8 eggs under Betty.

Hi C8, you could try to put some chicks in with her, but I've never heard of anyone doing that along with a hatch. It seems too risky to me - the store chicks could have diseases or smell funny to mom, and there might be too many for her to handle. I would personally do one or the other. And, I think if you're getting a dozen eggs, you may as well put at least 9 under her and see how she does. TGG's Molly hatched 10, after all, and you will likely lose some in the hatching process, plus some will be boys. So, my advice is to give her as many eggs as she can comfortably cover, and then forget about buying chicks until the next time your hen goes broody.

Yes, @Teila, the rooster issue is the main reason I'm not eager to do another broody hatch. I can't handle it. If you found a breeder who wants all three, that's the best situation I can imagine. They probably won't live as long as you'd want them to, or even as well as you'd want them to, but I think there are very few folks out there that will give roosters the lives we want for them. Look at Desi - he has to sleep in a man cave and wear a collar, and I'm about as nice a chicken-farmer as you'll ever find! But, when I see him jump on Bettina's back 4 times in 20 minutes, I don't feel so bad. Little bugger!

I'm still swamped with work and I can't keep up with all these new posts! I'll check in sporadically - stay well everyone.