Hatching with 2 broodies

[ItalyChickie]

Chick chicks I've got CHICKS!!!!!!! Petunia has at least two babies out of the shell...I saw them they are dry and fluffy and on their feet. I closed the coop (3/5 elevated hen house) to give her and the chicks some privacy. Jamie Lee is still hunkered down on her golf balls right next to here but seems unconcerned with what is happening in the nest next door. Once the other eggs hatch I am going to move her and them into a dog crate and keep them in the same pen they are in. I am pretty sure she will be a good protector but I am kind of nervous about Jamie Lee possibly stealing the chicks.

WOOHOO!!!!!!!! Go Petunia! Congratulations! I can't wait to meet them.

 

[ItalyChickie]

They are currently with a broody but had 3 hens go broody within a few days of each other and they were all sharing one nest so it started with 4 eggs and about a week later realized we were up to 7 so there is definately several days between starts dates left all the eggs with one broody as was concerned that once they began to hatch they would fight over the babies but now worried the rest may not hatch quick enough before mommy abandons the rest to care for the babies that have hatched!!!

Just came back in from checking on the ladies now she has moved everyone a little closer to the feed and another egg is pipping so I guess it's going to be wait and hope for the best "Mother Nature knows best right ????"

Hhhhm LM, tricky one!

Agreed, Mother Nature does know best, even though we tend to question her judgement
Are you able to keep a really close eye on them? If it was me, I would do just that and then if the broody mumma does abandon the eggs to look after her chicks and you think they still need a little more time, that is when I would give them to one of the other broodies or even one to one and two to the other. If they are lucky enough to get a chick each, motherhood is a great way to break broodiness

I have also read that broodies do not usually abandon the remaining eggs unless she knows they are not viable; whether that extends out to a week, I am not sure. Hopefully someone with more experience may have some advice.

Off to the sale tomorrow! I was second guessing myself whether now is a good time to bring a newbie into the flock but having thought about it, now is probably the best time because everyone is still a little antsy with reshuffles and chicks etc and also I am on holidays. If I leave it until everything is back to 'normal' (is there such a thing with chickens?) I would just be extending the settling down process.

Going to have a look anyway and we shall see if I find my Lulu

Lesa Mae, I think what Teila suggested is the best course of action, just wanted to add that I did have the experience with hen getting up before all viables were hatched... As I mentioned before, an overeager roo dragged Cenere out of the nest box last year, breaking some eggs in the process. It was only 4 days after I had given her eggs, and because I really wanted Cenere's babies and obviously she wasn't going to lay any more eggs, I didn't start over, but instead, added a few eggs in case the first ones didn't hatch.

Two of them did hatch, and she got off the nest two days later... I don't know if it's because she is a bit restless (I think silkies are more patient), or because she thought that waiting any longer was dangerous for the already hatched ones. This is when we resorted to that completely improvised contraption with a heat lamp inside a plastic box, plus a tall heavy bowl with water for humidity, the entire thing covered over the top to keep the hot humid air in. And that is how the broody twins came to be - really glad I didn't give up.

In your case though, you have two broodies on standby, so if you are able to watch her and slip the eggs to the others not too long after she gets up (if she does get up), it should all work out.

Teila, best of luck with your search for Lulu! Can't wait to meet her! And no, I don't think there is such a thing as "normal" with chickens.

That said, it sounds like pretty good timing. Who knows, Lulu might be the one to lay you the first egg in a very long time...

Thanks for the compliments on my fuzzies everyone! We're all glowing with pride here (me and the broodies).

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter weekend!

 

[Lesa Mae]

Great thoughts on my situation! IC I think you and Telia have pointed out some good ideas in breaking the broodies and not having to use an incubator which I'm not a fan of because I don't have the girls here with me they are at my daughters/granddaughters and I make a trip or 2 over every day right now which is 20 mins away and they check on them a couple of times a day so we are all very busy and aren't in the barn as often as we would like right now therefore very important that the broodies raise these little fuzzy butts! I guess we will definately keep and eye on them today and see what they are planning next and go from there just want to give every one of them a chance!! Good thing is nice here today and we will be spending lots of time in the barn with he chickens and horses today maybe even get a ride in being the 5 ft of snow is finally gone

 

[tommysgirl]

How many is she sitting on? And did u notice anymore pips

8 and it looks like all 8 are out and seem to be doing fine!

Great thoughts on my situation! IC I think you and Telia have pointed out some good ideas in breaking the broodies and not having to use an incubator which I'm not a fan of because I don't have the girls here with me they are at my daughters/granddaughters and I make a trip or 2 over every day right now which is 20 mins away and they check on them a couple of times a day so we are all very busy and aren't in the barn as often as we would like right now therefore very important that the broodies raise these little fuzzy butts! I guess we will definately keep and eye on them today and see what they are planning next and go from there just want to give every one of them a chance!! Good thing is nice here today and we will be spending lots of time in the barn with he chickens and horses today maybe even get a ride in being the 5 ft of snow is finally gone

Sounds like you have a plan...Liking that it includes going riding!

Teila good luck finding Lulu

IC I heart barnyard mixes!

Norma has hatched at least two going to head out now to do a chick check

 

[randerson846]

8 and it looks like all 8 are out and  seem to be doing fine!  e


Sounds like you have a plan...Liking that it includes going riding!

Teila good luck finding Lulu

IC I heart barnyard mixes!

Norma has hatched at least two going to head out now to do a chick check  

Well done

 

[Teila]

Happy Easter Team

Just a quickie today; don't want to spend too much time on the PC; things to do before I go Lulu hunting

TG .. congratulations! 8 from 8; well done. Also very much looking forward to meeting them and Norma's bubbies.

LM, your day sounds perfect; I hope you also have more good news when I check back in.

IC, I agree with TG, barnyard mix sure do make some beautiful looking bubbies

 

[tommysgirl]

Norma is 7 for 8 and the 8th is pipped and chirping! I thought I gave her mostly CA Grey eggs but I obviously gave her more Dorking egg than I thought. She has hatched 3. They are beautiful little sex links; red and yellow chipmunks with 5 toes. I think the red are the little girls. Got 4 black sex link babies too. two girls who are very gorgeous mottled black and red and the boys are black with a head spot. Not sure about the little guy in the shell though.

The bantams also appear to be sex linked...4 are silver and 4 are gold all are totally adorable!!! I am going to ask on the sex link thread who would be what.

Jamie Lee was apparently so devoted to Petunia and her eggs that when I put the little family in a dog crate for safety and bonding time, Jamie Lee left her nest to go hang out on the ground next to the crate. I caught her and locked her in the coop. After she had settled in on the nest again I gave her 8 Delaware eggs.

that her little foray was a sign that she wanted chicks and that she will stick to these eggs so she can get her own. It has been a few hours and she is still sitting tight.

I really like that right now we are hatching our own eggs. I can not get over the cuteness. I will try to get pics soon but am having Easter lunch here tomorrow after Mass so probably it will be after that.

They are seriously darling and robust little things.

Happy Easter!!

 

[Teila]

Another quickie ... Lulu has landed!
She is cutest little Pekin Frizzle, 4 months old and peeping away. I am going to let her settle before I introduce her to the camera later today

 

[Lesa Mae]

Another quickie ... Lulu has landed!
She is cutest little Pekin Frizzle, 4 months old and peeping away.  I am going to let her settle before I introduce her to the camera later today

Yay!!! so excited to see pics !!! Congrats on finding your Lulu Telia !!!


Upon arriving to the barn this morning we have yet another Sara so that's 4 that have survived out 5 that hatched the remaining 2 eggs had been abandoned and not sure for how long so popped them under the other broodies will give them a couple of days and see what happens but not very hopeful!!

 

[Teila]

Hey LM

Congrats on the additional Sara

Still got everything crossed for those remaining couple of eggs

Without further adieu, please allow me to introduce Casa Del Chookie's newest roomy; Lulu, the Pekin Frizzle: