Hatching with 2 broodies

[randerson846]

randerson846, good to hear that the 3 duck eggs are doing well.  Sorry to read about the infertile chick ones though.  I guess the bigger the hatch, the bigger the number of infertile or nonviable eggs.  48 chicks would have been quite a handful I think 

I wonder where that egg went also.  It would be very funny if it stays hidden and you end up with 28 chicks from the 27 eggs you can see, lol.

Yep, a compost bin is invaluable I reckon, not only does it give the girls many hours of enjoyment, it also gives me somewhere to put the chicken poop from which, in turn, the garden benefits.

16 paws, I have had that bin going on 4 years now and it is still going strong; definitely worth it.  To be honest, I can't remember what I paid for it but it has given that back many times over in the savings from not having to purchase potting mix.  The composted soil grows the best tomatoes!

I gave everyone a precautionary worming today.  Lulu had been vaccinated for Marek's but I was not sure if/when she had been wormed and it was about time for everyone else also.  I like to do it in the cooler weather because the stuff I use is added to their water; so many drops per cup full.  If the weather is cooler, I can put out less water and therefore, waste less worming mixture.  Granted, in the cooler weather they do not drink as much of it as they would on the hotter days but it is there for 24 hours, so I think they probably get enough.

The FF experiment is going really well.  The shallower, larger tray has definitely increased the amount eaten during the day.  I only have a small amount of the layer mix I am currently using left over and the girls have never really been that keen on it; even when it was dry.  It has pellets or crumbles as well as seed and my girls are definitely seed gals, "you know what you can do with your pellets/crumbles!".  The pellets/crumbles also ferment down to mush.  The next 20kg of feed is going to be a good mix of seed without pellets/crumbles.  I think we will definitely see increased excitement about the FF then.

I am not going to write a small novel this evening but I do have to share the cutest thing I saw yesterday.  

While much bigger than Lulu, Tina is, in fact, only 3 months older than Lulu.  As you know, Lulu has bonded with Tina and follows her everywhere.  Keep in mind, Tina is still to lay her first egg.

Yesterday, while digging through the compost dirt, Tina found a bug, she didn't eat it; she took, took, tooked to Lulu who came running over and Tina gave Lulu the bug!  So, so adorable!

i know i don't think i would of been able to handle 48 ahah but im still happy with 27 Ahahah i know ill probably have a look for it a again when im turning it so ill let u know ahaha

 

[MistyMountain]

Hi All! Once again, I back into lurkdom. I watch daily, but posting on my phone can be a nightmare. We have been so busy with this warmer weather! Always something to do. Though, if you saw the inside of my house you might think I do nothing right now!! All efforts go outside this time of year.

Teila, awesome to hear about the FF experiment. I have yet to try it, but I need some bigger containers. I have some biggish nestle quik containers that I might use. I need to jump in on the composting as well! I think I would like to take 3 pallets and make a box that it open on the top and front side for turning. My husband offered to make a spinning bin out of a 55 gallon drum, but with the amount of bedding I will have on my yearly coop clean out, I think we're gonna need a bigger boat. I LOOOOVE your tina and lulu story!! I can only hope introductions will work that well with my new crew and that someone will take over and guide them a bit!

randerson, good luck on the hatch! Sounds like you will have your hands full of little peepers!

 
Life is good here. The school year is coming to an end soon, which means less running around for all of us. I had a bit of drama in the brooder on Saturday. One of the cuckoo marans broke a feather on her foot and started bleeding. The gang (name given to all these leghorn cockerels) went all Jurassic Park on her. I was ANGRY. I pulled her out and rinsed her foot off. I debated on whether to get out the blukote or not and in the end decided a little spray would definitely help. Once it dried, I put her back in with the group. Those little raptors did not forget and proceeded to attack her again. I had to resort to my red heat bulb to conceal the color 24/7 now. I really don't like running the heat bulb more than I need to and never had a problem with picking from the last bunch. It must be all of these males. And oh boy, are they little balls of fire. Got to find them a new home. Soon.

Funny thing… the buff orps and cochins are supposed to be the sweet puppy dogs of my mix. They are actually the most timid! The welsummers are the most laid back and friendly followed by the cuckoo marans. 

Hubby has been super busy on the li'l school house!! I will edit this post from my phone to show a pic. Roof goes up Wednesday, and siding hopefully this weekend. I hope to have the chicks out there by next week. I have some painting on the inside to do but the outside will remain natural. It is 4'x4', 4' high on the sides and about 6' high in the middle of the peak. Aside from being a broody coop, I could probably raise 8 large fowl birds in there full time (since I free range all day, I usually allow 2-3 ft per chicken in the coop). Love that guy 
 

 

[chickencrazy999]

Hello Team Broody!,
So some eggciting news Yesterday I went and bought two white silkie bantam growers which are unsexed but I am very pleased with them and they are very friendly and as I mentioned earlier I had bought a pair of white silkie bantams which are doing great and the cockerel that I have decided to name Muppet and the hen Maddy have all been getting on very nicely so now I have a lovely little family of silkie bantams
three hens Milly,Muffin and Maddy a cockerel Muppet,Two mixed colour chicks Bramble and Angel and then two white silkie growers which I have not got names for yet but any suggestions well come. And also I have now set eight white silkie bantam hatching eggs under Muffin after her second time being broody and they are due to hatch May 24-25 which will be very exiting here are a couple of pics of the newcomers and the chicks :

 

[ItalyChickie]

Hello Team Broody,
well I haven't been on for ages! I have been sooo Busy and haven't been able to catch up on all the posts Beautiful picss everyone Okay so the chicks are doing brilliant and are growing so fast and are now with the others and have been very accepting to her and her chicks and I also have some very eggciting I think I mentioned earlier that Millie's sister Muffin has now gone broody and I have just picked her up 8 white silkie bantam eggs for her to hatch and will be setting them under her tomorrow and I have very sadly sold my two pekin hens as they were not laying that much and I had downze my flock and try to make a few pounds on my chicken hobby but the two girls have gone to a Lovely home with very caring people so I then had two gold star hens 2 white silkie hens 2 light sussex and 1 rhode rock hen then also the two chicks which are mixed silkie bantam chicks and so I decided If I was going to focus on just one breed It would be the silkie bantams so I decided to stick with the white silkies and went ahead and bought a pair of white silkie bantams and they are all doing great and the hen is already laying and the cockerel is ever so sweet here are a couple of pics of the hens I have not decided on the names of the two but I thought maybe stay with the names beginning with M but I don't know any suggestions well come Hope all is well
Take Care
Ella
:

Hi Ella! Good to hear from you! Sorry to hear you had to give up your two pekin hens, but glad they went to a good home. White silkies are gorgeous, but I think you forgot the pics - would love to see! I've always wanted to name a silkie hen Morgana (to go with the whole magic theme and Gandalf the roo - they just seem out of a fairy tale to me), but I'm lacking a silkie hen!

Anyway, the name isn't taken and it does start with M in case you like it. And I guess Merlin would also fit.

Brrrrrr ... chilly; overnight temperatures drastically dropped from 18C last week to 7C (64.5F to 44.5F). Last week we were having maximums of approx 28C and this week they are only 21C or so (82.5F to 70). OK, for you snow bunnies that may be bearable but for this tropical bunny, it's too cold! lol It is windy also, so you can throw a wind chill factor into the mix. Brrrrr.

I was trying to sweep yesterday. Made a nice pile of leaves etc, turned around to get the dustpan and brush and in that split second, the wind blew them all over again. Second attempt, made a nice pile of leaves etc, went to get the dustpan and brush and Cilla and Blondie had found the pile and spread them all over again ... gave up and put the broom in the shed! lol

Lulu is still peeping but yesterday I heard her first attempt at big-chicken noises .. OMG she has the strangest little voice, I can't begin to describe it! To date, I can determine from the house who is talking by their voice, that definitely is not going to change with Lulu's contribution, definitely unique! lol. Now, I just have to wait and see what Blondie comes up with, she is 10.5 weeks old now.

Cilla is definitely scaling back on protection detail and Blondie is tending to explore more on her own; I even saw her and Lulu off together yesterday. Another week or so and I think I will have a nice little family of five; all getting along nicely.

I dug through the compost bin yesterday and picked out a heap of worms and bugs for them. If I go anywhere near the compost bin I immediately have a captive audience!

The FF experiment continues. I think the container I was using to feed them in the run may have been too deep because they were not really eating from it but when I throw the FF in their favourite spot during free range, they gobble it up. This morning I put the FF on an old glass microwave tray that I have, big enough and shallow enough that the feed is pretty much single layer; I will let you know if this helps.

Oh yeah ... Dusty is back to her beautiful self .. she has feathers! Just in time for the cold snap

Good news on the eggs R846, sounds like things are progressing nicely.

Love the piccies TG, MM and IC

CC999 .. Mitch and Madge??

PS. I will try and get some more piccies if I pluck up the courage to step outside!

PPS: Quoting Mother Nature, who I believe has a wicked sense of humour: "I'm bored! What shall I do today? .. Ooh, ooh, I know, I am going to freeze the Aussies and watch them squirm!" lolz

Sorry it's so cold over there Teila! I'm not much of a snow bunny when it comes to everyday stuff... I mean, I go snowboarding (when I choose to being key here), but that's very different to freezing my bum off as I'm cleaning the coop or feeding the chickens! No fun at all. I've actually always thought I should live 6 months over here and 6 months in Australia, to escape fall and winter altogether. Only don't know how to transport all the dogs and chickens back and forth.

Mine are liking the FF a bit more, too - I guess they need time to get used to things. But they still manage to spill it on the ground.

So much for less spillage theory...

Thanks for posting those compost bin pics! I have been thinking about starting one forever, but worried about contributing even more to the enormous mice population over here... but that actually looks like it would keep them out. Hope they have something similar over here!

So i candled all my eggs, and there was one with the ring of death, and 16 that were infertile, or just didn't grow, and that leaves me with 3 duck eggs, and 24 chick eggs

although there is one which i cant find ahaha i have it wrote down on a note pad (i numbered them all) and i couldn't see it, but i didn't want to look for it for to long as the eggs were starting to cool down, so i have 27 viable eggs(not including the one i cant find ahah) due to hatch on the 20th of may

15 days to go

YAY! SO excited for you!!! So strange about the missing egg... I also bet it will turn up at the last moment.

I gave everyone a precautionary worming today. Lulu had been vaccinated for Marek's but I was not sure if/when she had been wormed and it was about time for everyone else also. I like to do it in the cooler weather because the stuff I use is added to their water; so many drops per cup full. If the weather is cooler, I can put out less water and therefore, waste less worming mixture. Granted, in the cooler weather they do not drink as much of it as they would on the hotter days but it is there for 24 hours, so I think they probably get enough.


Yesterday, while digging through the compost dirt, Tina found a bug, she didn't eat it; she took, took, tooked to Lulu who came running over and Tina gave Lulu the bug! So, so adorable!

That is SOOOOO cute!

Hi All! Once again, I back into lurkdom. I watch daily, but posting on my phone can be a nightmare. We have been so busy with this warmer weather! Always something to do. Though, if you saw the inside of my house you might think I do nothing right now!! All efforts go outside this time of year.


Life is good here. The school year is coming to an end soon, which means less running around for all of us. I had a bit of drama in the brooder on Saturday. One of the cuckoo marans broke a feather on her foot and started bleeding. The gang (name given to all these leghorn cockerels) went all Jurassic Park on her. I was ANGRY. I pulled her out and rinsed her foot off. I debated on whether to get out the blukote or not and in the end decided a little spray would definitely help. Once it dried, I put her back in with the group. Those little raptors did not forget and proceeded to attack her again. I had to resort to my red heat bulb to conceal the color 24/7 now. I really don't like running the heat bulb more than I need to and never had a problem with picking from the last bunch. It must be all of these males. And oh boy, are they little balls of fire. Got to find them a new home. Soon.

Funny thing… the buff orps and cochins are supposed to be the sweet puppy dogs of my mix. They are actually the most timid! The welsummers are the most laid back and friendly followed by the cuckoo marans.

Hubby has been super busy on the li'l school house!! I will edit this post from my phone to show a pic. Roof goes up Wednesday, and siding hopefully this weekend. I hope to have the chicks out there by next week. I have some painting on the inside to do but the outside will remain natural. It is 4'x4', 4' high on the sides and about 6' high in the middle of the peak. Aside from being a broody coop, I could probably raise 8 large fowl birds in there full time (since I free range all day, I usually allow 2-3 ft per chicken in the coop). Love that guy

I tend to do that too, follow all the posts on my phone but wait until I'm on the computer to reply - it's next to impossible to do from the phone. And yes, things are busy here too, they always are in the spring. And I had to laugh at your comment re inside of the house! That is EXACTLY how I am... I go above and beyond with the chickens and the planting and mowing, and have no strength left to do anything once inside.

Sorry to hear your gang was mean to your marans... hope she is doing okay, and that you find homes for the gang soon!

The school house looks great, my compliments to your hubby!

Oh, and hope to see some updated pics of the babies, too.

In my news, it has finally stopped raining, the weather is absolutely gorgeous, and Cenere is up to her old tricks of not wanting to go to sleep until it's too dark to see a thing... which means I have to go close them for the night with a flashlight, which means she might come out again, and the chicks after her, and it takes a lot of coaxing to make them go back in, because apparently I'm only supposed to come in there to give them treats...

I also believe that my at-hatch guesses were right in most cases, and that I have one or at most two boys (and 4 or 5 girls). Of course, too early to tell for sure, but hoping I am right.

Aaand if it's only the one that I am 99% sure is a boy (the blue one) then I am keeping them all! Because I am so not giving away a blue cochin cross roo! So they better all get along. (And now watch me start changing my mind and saying they are all boys in a few days... lol, I do that sometimes.)

There has been a bit of a delay on those Cochin and Orp eggs due to weather/molting - but they seem to be laying again now, so hopefully I will have the eggs and get to test the incubator in a couple of days. Bonnie is also still broody... praying she is okay waiting that long, as I really would like for her to raise those chickies.

I better be off, hopefully will be back sooner next time. Here are a couple of almost-bedtime pics for you.

 

[ItalyChickie]

Ella - Oops, I see you posted while I was typing! Ignore the name ideas then.

They are all soooooo adorable!!!!

 

[randerson846]

Turns out I might have a broody, I went out to collect the eggs in earlier about 6, and the hen was sitting on them, i lifted her to see how many there was I thought she was laying so I left her, I came back at 8 and she was still sitting on them, so I came at 9 and she was sitting on them, so I lifted her and put her in a separate smaller coop, and put the eggs in with her, and put some food and water near her, so I'll see tomorrow if she is still sitting on them (there is nine btw) she is an isa brown hen I hear they aren't good mothers or they don't sit, any ideas

 

[16 paws]

Hi Team Broody...

I just got home from work and am catching up on all the posts.

Teila,
That sounds so cute about Tina hunting for Lulu. I love watching things like that.

That compost bin has served you well. I have one that you spin in addition to my trash can but I dont like it. How does it ever get done if you keep adding things to it? I dont get it.

Italy Chickie,
The pictures are so cute of everyone. Cant wait for you to fire up the bator!

Misty Mountain,
Love the start of your coop. I am jealous you get to free range all day. Do you have a large dog that protects them?

Randerson846,
Sorry I cant help you about the Isa Hen, I havent even heard of them before.

Well, here is the latest here,

Guess who is broody now?
My two little cochins, Taffy and Freckles. I guess they are co-brooding because they are sharing the eggs. I dont think they have very many under them and thats good because I really dont need any more chickens right now!
Maybe we should all list how many we have?
I will start,
I have 27 chickens now and 2 are setting on eggs.
Anyone else care to chime in with a count?
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Chicken Crazy999
I love your silkies, they are beautiful!

Marie

 

[16 paws]

Here are a couple pictures of the broodies. Taffy and Freckles.

 

[MistyMountain]

I tend to do that too, follow all the posts on my phone but wait until I'm on the computer to reply - it's next to impossible to do from the phone. And yes, things are busy here too, they always are in the spring. And I had to laugh at your comment re inside of the house! That is EXACTLY how I am... I go above and beyond with the chickens and the planting and mowing, and have no strength left to do anything once inside.

Sorry to hear your gang was mean to your marans... hope she is doing okay, and that you find homes for the gang soon!

The school house looks great, my compliments to your hubby!

Oh, and hope to see some updated pics of the babies, too.

Thanks! I am pretty pumped about the school house to say the least. Little maran is doing better. She has got some serious feather feet going on!! I have a new favorite in the group. The little cuckoo maran with smaller feather feet. I named her Callie (and the other Sally). She jumps up on my shoulder when I clean out the brooder. So sweet! I am so torn with the gang. It will be much more peaceful when they find a new home, but I feel obligated to keep them until they are feathered out. I am so afraid someone will want them and not do their homework about heat and food for babies!! Pics soon. Thank you so much for sharing yours! I can only hope my Anna is as beautiful as Cenere!

Misty Mountain,
Love the start of your coop. I am jealous you get to free range all day. Do you have a large dog that protects them?

Maybe we should all list how many we have?
I will start,
I have 27 chickens now and 2 are setting on eggs.
Anyone else care to chime in with a count?
Marie

Really quite the opposite! I have Lilly, a spaniel mix from the pound that has submissive issues and a chicken killing criminal record!!! She is limited to 1/2 acre around the house with her wireless collar. We have worked with her and she is no longer a threat to the hens. Just recently she has found that mean Willie is fun to pester. She messes with him, he flogs her. Funny to watch, but she needs to be called down sometimes. Her chicken accident was really a mix of owner error and an unfortunate coincidence. I don't mind her chasing Willie a bit to keep the chickens away from the house and cars. Her submissive nature makes her a good watch dog as well. She will bark at anything odd or new. Not the obsessive bark, but lets us know something is happening so we can call her off and check it out. For that, I have no doubt that if other dogs or a hawk were to visit she would alert me. I work from home, so outside of taking the boys where they need to go, I am here 24/7. I am learning, though. Hawks migrate in December/January here, and the trees are bare. The chickens will be confined to the coop and run for those months. I lost one on Christmas day last year. Considering I free range every day, I think I am pretty lucky. I am taking a huge chance, but I know the chickens are happier this way.

Taffy and Freckles are ADORABLE together!!

Count chickens… yikes. Someone asked me how many I had last weekend… and my response was an unsure "I don't know?" Let's see. 15 hens and one rooster in my mature flock (which, today marks the first day that I have collected an egg for each hen!!!

) And now 9 rowdy cockerels that will be evicted soon (hopefully) and 8 pullets +1 EE Cockerel to replace Willie equals what? 34? Goodness, that's scary!