Hatching with 2 broodies

[lizgarf]

Hi ladies!
Love all the pictures!! Liz, your babies have gotten so big!!! So pretty. I LOVE that pic of Bettina. She's adorable. Desi/Daisy is much bigger. Do roosters usually get bigger this early? or does that happen later whey they are "grown-ups"? They are just part of the flock now....Does Reggie do OK with them? I couldnt tell from the pictures but it looks like she's right there with them?

Thanks, TexGG. Bettina is actually my favorite. She'll sit in my lap, and let little kids pet her. She's been less friendly since the crazy molt, but she came right up and demanded some camera time when I took that, so I think she's feeling better.

I've heard that roosters can be bigger faster, but not all cockerels (or pullets) develop at the same rate. It's certainly possible to have a fast-growing pullet and a runt cockerel. I'm still not 100% sure what I have, but the size difference suggests Desi's a cockerel, as does the comb and some of his personality, but s/he could also be a quick-combing pullet, apparently.

Tonight when I went out, Ida was on the roost with Frida and Desi was in the nest with Rousseau - funny how they work out their sleeping arrangements.

The girls weren't out when I took that picture of Reggie. She knows she's not supposed to hurt them, but she can't keep herself from chasing/herding them too enthusiastically, so I can't let her loose with them. Depending on where they are in the yard, I sometimes put Reggie on a tie in a strategic place to keep the chickens from going there.

This is actually not an aspect I'm excited about. My hens get along really well with each other, and I kind of like them being independent and taking care of themselves. I'm not sure how having a rooster would affect this. But, maybe they'd like having one. We'll see how it goes. I think it's all going to depend on personality, the volume of the crowing, and what the neighbors let me get away with. I sort of doubt a rooster will be any more trouble than Reggie! She's barking right now, the naughty girl.

 

[Teila]

Tonight when I went out, Ida was on the roost with Frida and Desi was in the nest with Rousseau - funny how they work out their sleeping arrangements.

Tee hee Liz .. it is funny how they mix it around; your co-parenting has worked out so well!

I wish my family were as easy going as yours, cranky Aunty Dusty is still living up to her name and I have to be so careful what I do around her. You know how easily spooked bubbies can be. If anyone so much as whispers a frightened peep she is in for attack! The rest of the time she is OK (aloof to whole deal).

Maybe it is worth trying to keep Desi (if s/he is a he). You were going to have to look for somewhere for him to go so no real loss if you keep him for a while and see how it goes and if it goes well, no loss at all

 

[Teila]

Cilla has cut the cord! Just like that ... It is kind of sad

At least she solved the previously posted roosting problem. I didn't see all of it but when I went outside she was still in the run and wanted to go and roost in her old digs with Dusty. The bubbies had gone to bed!
It was getting dark and they came out a couple of times to see what she was doing and then went straight back in without her.
I opened the dividing door and she went straight to her old roost. I guess I can leave it open now.
She seemed a little impatient with them tonight and pecked one of them a little harder than normal.
So I now have Dusty and Cilla sleeping in the Chateau and a pile of silkies sleeping in the Ranch without their mumma. I know they have each other to cuddle but it is still a bit sad!
So much for the new high perch I put in the Ranch for her! lol

 

[tommysgirl]

Cilla has cut the cord! Just like that ... It is kind of sad

At least she solved the previously posted roosting problem. I didn't see all of it but when I went outside she was still in the run and wanted to go and roost in her old digs with Dusty. The bubbies had gone to bed!
It was getting dark and they came out a couple of times to see what she was doing and then went straight back in without her.
I opened the dividing door and she went straight to her old roost. I guess I can leave it open now.
She seemed a little impatient with them tonight and pecked one of them a little harder than normal.
So I now have Dusty and Cilla sleeping in the Chateau and a pile of silkies sleeping in the Ranch without their mumma. I know they have each other to cuddle but it is still a bit sad!
So much for the new high perch I put in the Ranch for her! lol

Aww. I think it is bewildering for the babies but it's nice for Cilla to be able to return to normal hen behavior. Now watch..she'll go broody again in about three weeks

 

[Teila]

Aww. I think it is bewildering for the babies but it's nice for Cilla to be able to return to normal hen behavior. Now watch..she'll go broody again in about three weeks

lolz TG .. I have already told her she is not allowed to go broody until I have worked out who's staying and who is going from this hatch. And, it is Dusty's turn
Stoopid Council restricting us to 6 chickens and no roosters.

Everyone was OK this morning, survived the night and didn't seem too bothered about much except "where is breakfast?" lol

 

[tommysgirl]

Teila...Stoopid Council, don't they know that chicks don't count? If it isn't crowing or laying eggs it is immune from the count.

 

[Pooman]

Great to see everyone growing big and strong

My 2 chicks are going well, the new mum, Lola, has been the sickest of the flock since the start, and she has been looking pale and inactive for the last couple of days. I'm worried about her.

In other news i have been busy and the coop has been a little crazy elsewhere.

The Crazyness.... Mavis, the broody 12 days in got of the nest yesterday and was attacked by Rocky the first year buff, father of the current chicks and those under Mavis. Well glad we were home, so shoveled the big boy out in the outside grazing area and put a bin (trash can lol) on it side for him to sleep. He looked unimpressed at being by himself.

The Broody status...
Mavis, 12 days in candled eggs last night and discarded 4 of 8, the remaining 4 look good. Those discarded were the oldest of the eggs placed under her. All the freshest eggs developed. All a product of Rocky and Mavis.
Dotty, Sister of Dot RIP, 4 days in 10 eggs underneath. We are going to candle at day 12 and discard then. Leave it be for now as like her sister she pecks the hell out of you if you raid the nest.
Incubator, yes i bought an incubator lol, has 8 eggs 4 days in, we candled last night and 6/8 look sensational, truly developing very well. 2 look to be going a little slower but aren't out of the race, early days. These chicks are set at same time as Dotty and will go under her when they hatch. She might have a few chicks to look after lol. In hind sight and a little reading we should have set the incubator 1 days after settling the Broody as the incubator eggs might hatch earlier than the broody chicks.....
New Blood - so all those eggs i have going right now didn't come from 2 chooks haha, I bought some from a breeder, 12 buff orps and 6 Dark Barred Rocks, there are 4 Rocks and 6 Buff under Dotty and 2 Rocks and 6 Buff in the incubator... I hope all the Rocks make it.
Here are the Mums and Dads at the breeder

The busy-ness...

Coop number 3 the medium coop lol

Picture coming

A little unstable here ...

Got some walls

Got some roosts, ramps and chickens, Trixy and Snowy, the only two either not Brooding or raising chicks lol

 

[lizgarf]

Nice work on the coop, PM. That's a lot of work! Are you going to put hardware mesh over the wire? Everyone warned me that any hole bigger than 1/2 inch is at risk of predators. Apparently critters around here can do a lot of damage to a chicken just by sticking a paw through, and we already know about snakes in your area. Just wondering what your plans were. I like having a wall of wire myself, for ventilation, and cold isn't that big of an issue here, as I imagine it isn't in your area.

My biggest news in awhile: Grace gave me a squat today!!! I may finally get eggs again soon for the first time in 7 weeks! Let's just hope the weather-change forecasted for this week doesn't mess her up! It's supposed to dip below freezing here for the first time this year, and it was 70 degrees yesterday! Ah, California!

 

[Pooman]

Hi Liz,

Yes going to cover the wall, with 10mm avairy mesh. It was 36 oC here yesterday, everyone suffering, Lola standing in the water poor thing. Also going to put some external nesting boxes (did i mention that?) and hatch out the back (fell like ive typed this before... Anyway). So yes to what you've said.

So the coop situation is. The one above, for layers and a rooster, a larger one which has become broody central for broody and young uns. A small one for 2-3 chook currently housing Mavis the broody. A few separate free range pens, one currently with Rocky the naughty Roo and a box for him to sleep in.

And the Broody egg summary is

Mavis at 12 days in with 4 good ones
Dotty at 4 days 10 eggs unchecked
Incubator at 4 days 6 out of 8 looking great

Confident for at least 10/22 remaining now.
28 started = 4 discarded, 10 unchecked, 2 not sure, 10 looking good

The Flock could be large soon

 

[Teila]

Nice work on the coop, PM. That's a lot of work! Are you going to put hardware mesh over the wire? Everyone warned me that any hole bigger than 1/2 inch is at risk of predators. Apparently critters around here can do a lot of damage to a chicken just by sticking a paw through, and we already know about snakes in your area. Just wondering what your plans were. I like having a wall of wire myself, for ventilation, and cold isn't that big of an issue here, as I imagine it isn't in your area.

My biggest news in awhile: Grace gave me a squat today!!! I may finally get eggs again soon for the first time in 7 weeks! Let's just hope the weather-change forecasted for this week doesn't mess her up! It's supposed to dip below freezing here for the first time this year, and it was 70 degrees yesterday! Ah, California!

Woo hooo Liz .. you getting eggs again is nearly as exciting as a hatch!