Hatching with 2 broodies

[lizgarf]

Just gave the coop a thorough cleaning and fixing-up, like painting the nursery! I put the dog crate in there so that they could get used to its presence, but didn't move them. I put an old wool blanket outside of the current nest, to try to smooth over any sharp edges and make a smooth transition for them should they start to wander. I spread new hay all over and sprinkled DE around.
Frida is firmly planted on the eggs right now and pecked at me mightily, except when I brought her some scratch and got a glimpse at a couple of the eggs. Rousseau appears to be on standby.
We're ready!!

 

[Teila]

OK, small drama and lesson learnt ... Britney found the babies and decided she wanted some of their chick-start and was pecking at them to get some. Dusty wanted to lay her egg in her favourite nest box which just happens to be where Cilla and the babies are. Like yours Liz, this was probably not the best spot for the babies. Dusty was trying to push in, Cilla was getting cranky and the poor little babies were caught in the middle, getting pecked. In the end, I had to lock Dusty and Britney out of the coop to protect the babies. Dusty was stressing because she couldn't get in while a quick dash to our local hardware was made and even quicker purchase and construction of a ready made chicken ranch-thing.

Luckily Cilla was OK with me picking her up and we moved her and the bubs to their new home. It is probably for the best, no one is going to disturb them and it is all one level so no falling. Cilla seems to be OK and is staying with them.

Dusty is very happy and laying her egg as I type ... Britney is probably wondering where that yummy food went!

Also, probably for the best while I am at work all day

 

[Teila]

Just gave the coop a thorough cleaning and fixing-up, like painting the nursery! I put the dog crate in there so that they could get used to its presence, but didn't move them. I put an old wool blanket outside of the current nest, to try to smooth over any sharp edges and make a smooth transition for them should they start to wander. I spread new hay all over and sprinkled DE around.
Frida is firmly planted on the eggs right now and pecked at me mightily, except when I brought her some scratch and got a glimpse at a couple of the eggs. Rousseau appears to be on standby.
We're ready!!

Woo hoo Liz .. commence the countdown! Cheering for you big time here!

 

[lizgarf]

OK, small drama and lesson learnt ... Britney found the babies and decided she wanted some of their chick-start and was pecking at them to get some. Dusty wanted to lay her egg in her favourite nest box which just happens to be where Cilla and the babies are. Like yours Liz, this was probably not the best spot for the babies. Dusty was trying to push in, Cilla was getting cranky and the poor little babies were caught in the middle, getting pecked. In the end, I had to lock Dusty and Britney out of the coop to protect the babies. Dusty was stressing because she couldn't get in while a quick dash to our local hardware was made and even quicker purchase and construction of a ready made chicken ranch-thing.

Yes, this is exactly what I'm afraid of! Bettina and Grace have mostly left the nest alone, but they keep butting in when I try to give the broodies scratch or yogurt. I'm glad I got the new coop within a coop ready. I might also slip some wire into place in front of the current nest once (or if) I see they've started hatching.

 

[Teila]

Sounds like a plan Liz!
Lesson learnt for me that's for sure. All settled now I think. Will wait and see what Cilla makes of it all but she is staying put at the moment and the chicks are safe

 

[lizgarf]

I'm guessing you can move them all back in together in a week or so, and then just give everyone chick starter + oyster shell for awhile until the chicks are ready for adult feed.

 

[Teila]

Yeah Liz, what we will probably do is incorporate the new 'ranch' into the existing 'chateau' but keep it so that we can lock it down if need be. That is definitely a job for next weekend, not today; I think everyone, humans included, need some down time lol

 

[Teila]

G'Day Team Broody
For the first time since they were born, I got to just sit for a while and watch them today ... so adorable! Cilla is being such a good mumma! I saw one hanging off her jowels and she got poked in the eye a couple of times by little beaks .. one of them had hold of her lower eye lid and pulled!! She took it all, didn't react.
It was warm again today and I was worried that she was getting too hot but she took a few drinks and filled up on some chick-start. She seems to be accepting of the 'Ranch' a little now and is not attacking me when I reach in to change their water and top up their feed. It is actually pretty good, all level and definitely big enough for her and bubs, lots of room for them to run around, which they are starting to do They are eating and drinking. All tucked up under mumma and sleeping now.

I got a cuddle!! lol

Oh yeah, Wow .. I was warned about the mega-poop a broody hen might do but while she was nesting, Cilla must have hopped off the nest often enough because she never did one; until today that is! Whoa, nasty!! lol

While I really wanted to try the whole 'everyone living together thing' I think I have made the right decision for now and can go to work tomorrow knowing that they are safe and that Dusty and Britney can get back to their normal routine.

Back to research for me .. I only researched to this stage because there were no guarantees I would get any further .. time to study what I can do for her and her babies to ensure they are happy and healthy

 

[LTygress]

I had that problem a bit too. But in order to stop it, I would make two mixes - one small batch with scratch and chick starter, and the other a large batch with scratch and layer feed, with a small scoop of chick starter to pour on top and use as a lure.

Then I'd go outside and feed the babies FIRST. And I wouldn't put it in the nest, I would put it right outside of the next. Momma and the babies will leave the nest when it's time to eat. And if others show up, they can run back in the nest for safety.

Then I would take the bigger bucket and dump it into the normal feed area for the rest of the pen's inhabitants. The other chickens would follow me, and be interested in the movement of the feed falling from the bucket and rolling across the ground. That would pull them away from the babies. If I had a stubborn one or two, I'd show them the small scoop of chick starter, and lure them back out to the main area, and put it on the ground there for them to eat.

A little bit of chick starter for the other birds won't hurt them. And using it as a lure to get them away from the babies and their own feed, works pretty well.

 

[lizgarf]

So glad you got a cuddle, Teila! We're still waiting for pictures of all the babies!!
It's a chilly Day 20 morning here. Frida is on all the eggs, looking serious, with Rousseau nearby, pretending to be setting too. They're not quite as snuggled up right now. I wonder how they're working all of this out!