Hatching with 2 broodies

[lizgarf]

Hi Team!
That's exciting about the Silkie and her babies, TG! (and nice work on the coop!)
I'm finally coming up for air after working 2 full-days longer on a brief than I had originally expected, and with a long string of other deadlines to meet coming up. But, I'm feeling optimistic for a change, because the court of appeal reversed in that case I had argument in (yay!) and I just got news that the California Supreme Court is making the other side respond to my petition for review of a denied habeas petition (I know that probably doesn't make sense, but it's an important and somewhat rare step towards potentially good news!). So, just enough professional affirmation to keep me going through the pile of work I've acquired.
My dog must have felt my work stress though, because she gave herself a lick wound on her leg, which she hasn't done in awhile. So, she's wearing special collars which is both amusing and pathetic.
The chickens all seem fine.
Take care, everyone!
--Liz

 

[Teila]

Hey Team
This morning I gave serious thought to giving up chickens completely because losing them hurts so much but then I also realise the huge hole it would leave it my life not having them. I love them to bits!

I have no idea why but Suzi is not going to make it through the day. As you know she had some diarrhoea earlier in the week but that cleared up and she seemed fine, eating, drinking, patrolling the garden with the others etc. Last night when I checked they had all got off to bed OK, she was tucked in the corner with her head hidden under one of the nest boxes. I thought this was a bit strange, but told her she was a "silly girl" picked her up and popped her into bed with Dusty and Tina. This morning when I looked out the window I could see Dusty and Tina but no Suzi. I went out to check on her and she was lying on her side in the nesting box, breathing heavily, hardly able to lift her head. Hubby is home today and is going to keep an eye on her but she is not going to make it through the day; she can't even get out of the nest box.

I am telling you gals because I know you care and because you will probably ask later why she does not get mentioned in my posts but can I ask you a huge favour? As I said, I know you gals will be so sad to hear this news and want to send me hugs etc but can we please just carry on like this isn't happening? If I read any posts from you with love and support I am just going to start crying again/more.

 

[chickenlickin8]

Hello, I have a broody Barred Rock hen (Betty) and I have several questions. She has been sitting on 1 ceramic egg for 5 days now. She is in the coop with the other girls and she has her favorite box picked out. I'm debating to go down this road or not.

She has been sitting for 5 days, at this point, should I let her hatch out some local fertile eggs I can pick up?
Will I need to separate her from the rest when the eggs hatch?
Can the chicks grow up with her and all stay together?
The nest boxes are about 2 feet off the ground, when the chicks hatch, will they jump to the ground to follow mom?
Will the rest of the flock try to kill the chicks or will they accept them because they know the broody hen as a member of the flock?

It's my first time with a broody hen. I have hatched eggs in the incubator but not under a broody. Here's a pic of Betty!

 

[Teila]

Hey Team
Stoopid Chickens! Why do we get so attached?
She's gone! I had to come home from work because I couldn't focus or stop crying! This is ridiculous!

 

[tommysgirl]

@chickenlickin8

Hi! Welcome and how exciting!!! Betty is gorgeous! here is what I would do and why but other people would tell you different and they would have valid reasons too.

I would let her set unless she was setting in an absurd spot under absurd conditions like my girl Norma

That is a flower pot which is out on the patio totally in the open. It was November and she started setting during our first big rainstorm. I moved her into a coop and she broke but if she had been less of a ninny about her location I would have let her set.

You are smart to be thinking about local aka free or cheap eggs. First go around is a trial for mama as a setter and a brooder and you don't want to have things go wrong when the eggs are pricey

Some people always separate others don't. I think most of us here have left our girls in the coop but it really does depend on your set up and your flock.

Betty will, in all likelyhood, turn into Broodzilla and none of your other birds will be willing to take her on. If she does her job right no one will mess with her or her babies.

Yes the chicks can stay with her until she weans them and then they usually don't have any trouble integrating into the flock...in my limited experience even when she is done with them the others won't be mean to them. They may chase them away from food and water but other than that if you have a sweet little flock the chicks should just blend in with the group as they get older. It is one of the nice things about not separating.

you may want to get a ladder in place for the mama and chicks to get into and out of the nest box.

My thought is give it a try with whatever works best for you. It is a learning experience. Be ready with a brooder in case she isn't much of a mom and maybe fire up you incubator towards hatch day in case she has to leave the nest before all the eggs have hatched. I didn't do that and I wish I had. 3 fully formed chicks were dead in the shell...one had pipped internally but mama had a wild chick roaming the whole coop and she had to get out to keep him safe.

Also if you get all of the same type of eggs it will probably go better for your hatch. Hybrid/Mutt chicks tend to be early and strong hatchers...purebreds take a few hours longer and bantams hatch a day or so early so either get all mixes all purebreds or all bantams.

Best of Luck! Come back here often and check in. I have a hatch going right now under a silkie but it is happening about an hour and half away. I am taking the silkie and her clutch. it is making me crazy not to have them in my back yard. We love pictures and we love broody mamas and their chicks.

 

[lizgarf]

Hey Team
Stoopid Chickens! Why do we get so attached?
She's gone! I had to come home from work because I couldn't focus or stop crying! This is ridiculous!

Since you're home, can I offer a virtual hug?
I am so very sorry, Teila. I don't know why you lost her, but I understand how heartbroken you are and I wish I could be with you in person to help.

 

[Teila]

Since you're home, can I offer a virtual hug?
I am so very sorry, Teila. I don't know why you lost her, but I understand how heartbroken you are and I wish I could be with you in person to help.

Thank you Liz
I am spending some time with the girls and bubbies .. it is helping a bit

 

[tommysgirl]

Since you're home, can I offer a virtual hug?
I am so very sorry, Teila. I don't know why you lost her, but I understand how heartbroken you are and I wish I could be with you in person to help.

X2...Glad you are spending time with your flock.

 

[tommysgirl]

Check out my girl...She has 4 eggs I don't know why she isn't sitting on them all at the moment but I assume the lady who is giving her to me caught her as she was getting up or laying back down. she should be on day 13 or so. She lives off site from where the gal who is giving her to me lives. I honestly can not wait until I get to bring her home

 

[Teila]

Good Morning Team

Welcome Chickenlickin8

I pretty much agree with everything TG said.
Your first broody hatch is definitely a learning experience and sometimes you have to make decisions on the fly but it is well worth the effort. Watching mumma and babies is a beautiful thing and always guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
I say "Go for it!"
Just a tip I learnt from experience. If you are concerned that the ladder is too steep and they may still fall off; try rigging a 'platform' behind it so if they do drop, not so far to fall. This worked well with my last hatch and later became a launching ramp for jumping onto mumma's back when she walked past

TG, I am so happy for you! Juliet does looks like a sweetheart.
In that picture it looks to me like she is just about to tuck that egg back under her

In Casa Del Chookie news .. bubbies are 4.5 weeks old and one of the little boys is having a go at crowing! He looked so cute standing on the ramp, croaking
I have an advertisement online to try and rehome the 3 obvious boys and I am running Tammy on for a bit longer as while I am not totally sure, I am still thinking pullet. Blondie is definitely a pullet/keeper

The plan is, once the boys have nice new homes, to open up the dividing door and allow Cilla, Blondie and Tammy to have full range of the run with Dusty and Tina. Cilla has not weaned them as yet so she will be able to keep an eye on them and it will be much easier for her to keep an eye on two
They have all been checking each other out through the wire and I think integration should hopefully go smoothly.
Also, once down to a manageable two, it will be time to take the temporary run/fence away and give them free range of the garden. Cilla keeps jumping over the fence and calling bubbies to follow her. Yesterday Blondie was sitting on top of the fence Pretty soon the fence is going to be irrelevant anyway

Tina and Dusty are sticking pretty close together and I have been making sure to keep them well and truly entertained so they are hopefully not experiencing their loss.

Looking forward to having the family of 5 all together in one run again