Hatching with 2 broodies

[Teila]

Howdy IC

Glad to hear that all seems to be well and you are loving your bubbies.

I had to comment on your blurry pictures! Laughing here because I can so totally sympathize; trying to get a non blurry picture of a bubby chicken is mission impossible!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the lady who took Tommy also ooo'd and aaaa'd over Blondie. "Not a chance lady, step away from my chicken!" lolz

Cilla didn't help my sadness by looking for Tommy and Blondie seemed a little upset at bed time, probably missing her brother. However, when I checked on them at bedtime, Blondie was roosting under Cilla's wing, something she hasn't been able to do because Cilla roosts up against the side of the coop and Tommy always managed to beat Blondie to prime position. It was cute and sad at the same time.

I have consoled myself with the fact that for the first time in a very long time I will not lay in bed, half asleep, ready to leap out at the first sounds of crowing! Before Suzi passed away there was doubt on her gender and I spent months, before sun up listening for a possible crow which then switched from Suzi to Tommy. I can wake up tomorrow knowing that the four I now have are girls Who knows, I might even sleep in

I can't wait to meet Tina's new friend also ... I have a name but no chicken! I'm not totally convinced it will be a Frizzle. I am going to be as surprised as everyone else but I will know her when I see her

 

[ItalyChickie]

Hi Teila!

Lol, yes I think the only chance I have of non-blurry pictures is if I catch them while they are asleep and not under mom... yeah, so practically no chance at all! I did manage a few slightly less blurry ones though - caught them preening/soaking in the sun, I will post them. I swear their wing feathers grew overnight - there weren't any yesterday!

I can't blame the lady, to be honest with you - how can anyone not oooh and aaah over Blondie?

But yeah "step away from MY chicken!" would have been my reaction, too!

Knowing you have all girls and being able to sleep in, plus knowing Tommy is in good hands - it really does sound like you couldn't have found a better match if you tried! - all positive factors, I think... though I know you and Cilla and Blondie will all miss him, but it gets easier with time. And once you find Lulu, whoever she turns out to be, there will five girls! And hopefully some eggs, too.

Here are some not-as-blurry pics:

 

[Lesa Mae]

I'm so happy and a little sad at the same time, sounds like tommy found his new digs and will be pampered just a little but probably not as much as with you but still loved it helps when you get a good feeling about his new home and they will keep in touch

 

[MistyMountain]

Not sure how I can keep up with this thread anymore!! Y'all are speedy!

I am so sorry for those who lost chicks.

We will miss you, liz, but I totally understand where you are coming from. Once summer rolls around I may become nonexistent for a few months!

Teila, I'll hang in as the resident non-broody… though the chooks are going to be locked in the coop all day Saturday with no one to collect eggs… maybe that will force someone to go broody! That would be too perfect… chicks arrive Thursday! I am so happy that you found Tommy a great home! I am also super excited for you to go out and find your Lulu!! I can not wait for pictures!!

Keep the pictures coming everyone!!

Life is good here on Ol' Sycamore Springs. Still cooler than it was, but I believe spring is back. I put hen saddles on MJ and Darth Vader. Those EE's just do not have tough feathers on their backs! Much easier to do at night time. Continuing to have daily "therapy" sessions with Willie Roo. I just don't know about that guy. Hubby likes him though… and my boys respect him so…

Happy Easter everyone! Have a great weekend!

 

[16 paws]

Not sure how I can keep up with this thread anymore!! Y'all are speedy!

I am so sorry for those who lost chicks.

We will miss you, liz, but I totally understand where you are coming from. Once summer rolls around I may become nonexistent for a few months!

Teila, I'll hang in as the resident non-broody… though the chooks are going to be locked in the coop all day Saturday with no one to collect eggs… maybe that will force someone to go broody! That would be too perfect… chicks arrive Thursday! I am so happy that you found Tommy a great home! I am also super excited for you to go out and find your Lulu!! I can not wait for pictures!!

Keep the pictures coming everyone!!

Life is good here on Ol' Sycamore Springs. Still cooler than it was, but I believe spring is back. I put hen saddles on MJ and Darth Vader. Those EE's just do not have tough feathers on their backs! Much easier to do at night time. Continuing to have daily "therapy" sessions with Willie Roo. I just don't know about that guy. Hubby likes him though… and my boys respect him so…

Happy Easter everyone! Have a great weekend!

Hi Misty,
I am so glad you said that about EE's. I did not realize that about them and I have one, Daisy Mae, that is having big problems with her feathers missing. I even relocated our lf roo and kept the banty roo in case he was being to rough with her. I made her a saddle but her shoulders are bare. Poor thing.
I wonder if I can put duck tape over her shoulders, thought I read that somewhere.
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Howdy IC

Glad to hear that all seems to be well and you are loving your bubbies.

I had to comment on your blurry pictures! Laughing here because I can so totally sympathize; trying to get a non blurry picture of a bubby chicken is mission impossible!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the lady who took Tommy also ooo'd and aaaa'd over Blondie. "Not a chance lady, step away from my chicken!" lolz

Cilla didn't help my sadness by looking for Tommy and Blondie seemed a little upset at bed time, probably missing her brother. However, when I checked on them at bedtime, Blondie was roosting under Cilla's wing, something she hasn't been able to do because Cilla roosts up against the side of the coop and Tommy always managed to beat Blondie to prime position. It was cute and sad at the same time.

I have consoled myself with the fact that for the first time in a very long time I will not lay in bed, half asleep, ready to leap out at the first sounds of crowing! Before Suzi passed away there was doubt on her gender and I spent months, before sun up listening for a possible crow which then switched from Suzi to Tommy. I can wake up tomorrow knowing that the four I now have are girls Who knows, I might even sleep in

I can't wait to meet Tina's new friend also ... I have a name but no chicken! I'm not totally convinced it will be a Frizzle. I am going to be as surprised as everyone else but I will know her when I see her

Hi Teila,
Sounds like you found a real good home for Tommy. I know everyone is going to miss him but it sounds like you did the right thing for your family. A little extra sleep is a good thing........
Cant wait to meet your new addition to the flock.
Thats funny about the lady eyeballing Blondie, anyone would love to have her.

Marie

 

[16 paws]

Hi Italychickie,
Thanks for the thoughts about the baby chick not making it.
I am wondering if the eggs got comprimised from getting soiled when a couple of them cracked. Just trying hard to know what happened so I can prevent it maybe from happening again.
I had already started over with new eggs with her once so I didnt want to toss out another batch and start over again. She just has a problem with cracking eggs I think. Maybe she is clumsy? It doesnt look good for the rest of the hatch, doesnt seem to be any piping. Cant really tell because she is sitting tight.

I love the pictures of your new fuzzies!

They are so darn cute!!!
What breeds are they? It must be so fun to watch the hens share them. What lucky chicks to have 2 mommys. When one is busy they have the other to pick up the slack.
That is funny about the twins looking for another place to start over. You never know what these broodies are going to do. That is another reason I love this thread. The hormones in these hens cause them to do all sorts of bizarre things. Better than tv anyday, and cheaper than therapy.
Even if things do go wrong once in a while, I still marvel at the miracle of an ordinary cooking ingredient becoming a beautiful little fluffy baby in 21 days.!!!
It worries me when I hear that broodiness is being bred out of hens. It is such a beautiful thing.
I know we cant always let them sit on eggs, but when we can I feel it helps with the natural order of things.
Keep those pix coming...
Happy Easter my chicken family...
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Tommysgirl,
Any news yet?
Marie

 

[MistyMountain]

Hi Misty,
I am so glad you said that about EE's. I did not realize that about them and I have one, Daisy Mae, that is having big problems with her feathers missing. I even relocated our lf roo and kept the banty roo in case he was being to rough with her. I made her a saddle but her shoulders are bare. Poor thing.
I wonder if I can put duck tape over her shoulders, thought I read that somewhere.
Marie

Hey 16 Paws,
I think my problem is combination of things. My Roo is by no means a gentleman. However, the leghorns, hamburgs, and NH seem to have little to no problem with their back feathers. All 5 EE's do. It really leads me to wonder if it is in their genes-- something I can maybe work to strengthen in the future. I have a couple chicks coming that I hope to replace my current rooster with--- because he is aggressive and not gentle or charming with the girls. I also do no want to lose the blue egg gene, so new Roos are an EE and a welsummer (for OE). I would be afraid to put duct tape on her wings--- that stuff hurts pulling it off!! Plus, like a band-aid, it seems like it would prevent oxygen flow to her skin… and I am sure hinder feather regrowth. I would also be afraid that it would prevent her from flying normally. The place I got my saddle from also makes "butterfly" saddles that go over the wings. They are supposed to protect the wings while still allowing the hen to do everything it could before. Check it out http://www.louisescountrycloset.com/butterfly-saddles/

 

[tommysgirl]

Tommysgirl,
Any news yet?
Marie

Norma has made herself into a perfect and perfectly flat circle of red feathers with a head. She has the full on broody trance going but I heard no peeps...it is day 20 so I am not worried. They were all totally lively on Tuesday.

Petunia is talking to the bubbies in the shell and they are peeping back.

I won't be surprised to find a chicklet when I go home at lunch and/or after school today so that is happy making! I hope to get pics of Gracie Belle and Julie as well as the new additions this weekend.