Hatching with 2 broodies

[ItalyChickie]

Awww they are precious!

I love how well you can see her in that incubator, I'm limited to stalking hens this time around.

And after hours of stalking, I was rewarded with a couple of glimpses of tiny little fluffy heads. Have seen three so far, but only managed a picture of one:

 

[Sonya9]

I just moved the two incubator babies into the coop and hid them under the young broody. I was scared she may attack them or something (it is still dark but she woke up with the flashlight etc..).

ETA just checked again after a whole 10 minutes...she looks fine with them, she has spread her wings a bit and lifted her weight up to give them room.

 

[Sonya9]

And after hours of stalking, I was rewarded with a couple of glimpses of tiny little fluffy heads. Have seen three so far, but only managed a picture of one:

That hen is quite stunning. So glad you have confirmed live little ones!

I am surprised how QUIET they are under a real mama! I didn't hear a peep out of the broody that has 5 eggs under her, but then again the incubator chicks also hushed up completely once they were under a real hen.

We know so much about human infant development and puppy development/socializing during the first few weeks, since chickens are a social pack animal too it has to be very good for them to be raised in a real family unit.

Question -- is there a law against gently lifting the hen up a bit to see if she has babies underneath? Apparenly no one here does that but gosh I am so tempted to see what the older broody has!!

 

[ItalyChickie]

That hen is quite stunning. So glad you have confirmed live little ones!

I am surprised how QUIET they are under a real mama! I didn't hear a peep out of the broody that has 5 eggs under her, but then again the incubator chicks also hushed up completely once they were under a real hen.

We know so much about human infant development and puppy development/socializing during the first few weeks, since chickens are a social pack animal too it has to be very good for them to be raised in a real family unit.

Question -- is there a law against gently lifting the hen up a bit to see if she has babies underneath? Apparenly no one here does that but gosh I am so tempted to see what the older broody has!!

Thank you, I think she is beautiful too, but of course I'm biased.

And I know, I always keep thinking there must be nobody under there based on all that silence!!! Except I really should know better by now, the ones under a hen are always quiet and content. I only had one go at raising chicks without a broody, but the difference is incredible. Broody raised chicks seem to develop twice as fast, and get confident with the rest of the flock, and the world.. they just seem better adjusted (which is why I don't want to try raising them without broodies again - thankfully I have a surplus of broodies).

Don't know if there are laws against lifting the hen up, but I do peek with the ones I know won't freak out, the hens that already trust me enough. I just distracted Pallina with some yogurt in one hand, and with the other hand lifted one wing at a time, and lifted her chest just a little bit to check, and I confirm 3 hatched babies, and 5 eggs under there.

I don't dare do this with the other one, who simply isn't the type to eat from my hand, but she also shifts around if I give her food, and I saw an external pip on one of her eggs.

What can I say, I am one persistent stalker, even though I probably should leave them alone a bit more often!

ETA missed your earlier post - yay for younger broody taking in those two beautiful babies without issues!

 

[Sonya9]

What can I say, I am one persistent stalker, even though I probably should leave them alone a bit more often!

Well fortunately I have been stalking the broody hens for over 2 weeks so they are used to it by now, at first older broody would scream at me for even LOOKING in the coop, but now she is used to it, she probably figures I might as well just move in at this point.

I did sneak a peak under her, 2 empty eggs (and little chirps) and a third that is/was unzipping. I got a gentle peck so I didn't investigate more.

I am glad the hens are tolerant of me because the fact is I plan to help them raise these chicks! This has been a group effort by all of us and I ain't gonna get left out of all the fun now!

 

[ItalyChickie]

This has been a group effort by all of us and I ain't gonna get left out of all the fun now!

Yep, exactly! I tell them they better get used to me as soon as they start brooding. I bet Pallina is thinking I actually have moved in by now - I spent half the day in her apartment (my knees are seriously hurting from crouching in there!)

There are now 5 hatched chicks under there.

Hopefully the remaining three are also on the way.

The other broody definitely has two pips, one is zipping already!

I probably won't get to see more than glimpses until tomorrow, even if I do move in there... but in the meantime, it's so great to be able to share with someone who is going through the same thing and others here who understand how hard the waiting is.

 

[ItalyChickie]

I love the sixth picture down, that chick has the cutest look on HER face

I don't know how I missed this before, I blame it on all the hatch excitement, and power outage worries. Thanks - I LOVE that emphasis on "her"!

I'm also quite certain that one is a girl... just as I'm certain that this one is a boy (and though I was really hoping for a lavender hen, he's too beautiful to be disappointed).



Why yes, I am totally stalking this thread today... it's the only thing keeping me from moving into Pallina's apartment. HELP!

 

[chickencrazy999]

Hello everyone,
How are things I have just got back from camping and everything brilliant just thought I would share some pics of sunshines first time out with her now 21 chicks as one of the little yellow mystery chicks had died after the day my uncle bought it over but all the others are great

Ella

 

[16 paws]

That hen is quite stunning. So glad you have confirmed live little ones!

I am surprised how QUIET they are under a real mama! I didn't hear a peep out of the broody that has 5 eggs under her, but then again the incubator chicks also hushed up completely once they were under a real hen.

We know so much about human infant development and puppy development/socializing during the first few weeks, since chickens are a social pack animal too it has to be very good for them to be raised in a real family unit.

Question -- is there a law against gently lifting the hen up a bit to see if she has babies underneath? Apparenly no one here does that but gosh I am so tempted to see what the older broody has!!

If there is a law call me a criminal because I did it! Give it a try...

 

[chickencrazy999]

If there is a law call me a criminal because I did it! Give it a try...

Same only a quick peep under her will not make a difference