Hatching with 2 broodies

[16 paws]

Adorable little babies MistyMountain! Looks like MJ is going to be a very good mama to them. What does MJ stand for by the way? Sorry if you have already told us

Can any of you silkie owners help me figure something out?
I bought 5 silkies from the feed store 2 months ago. One of them is very different from the others. The one I am speaking of has feathered out and the others still have fluff. It has the five toes but it doesnt have black skin. Take a look at the first picture.

Here she is with another white one

One more of her

Is she even a silkie? Or maybe she is a he!

Sorry about Layla's behind in the background....

 

[Teila]

Hey 16 paws, just my humble opinion but I do believe what you have there could be a Smooth Silkie? I cannot really see much of a comb or wattles in those pictures but stance and tail kind of say rooster, but definitely do not hold me to that, just my first impression and depending on the breed, could be standard for a pullet.

Maybe someone in the Team with more breed experience will be able to help more

 

[MistyMountain]

Adorable little babies MistyMountain! Looks like MJ is going to be a very good mama to them. What does MJ stand for by the way? Sorry if you have already told us

Can any of you silkie owners help me figure something out?
I bought 5 silkies from the feed store 2 months ago. One of them is very different from the others. The one I am speaking of has feathered out and the others still have fluff. It has the five toes but it doesnt have black skin. Take a look at the first picture.

I don't know what she is (white polish, maybe???) but I sure like him/her!!!

MJ used to be Spiderman… when she was younger she was quite outgoing. Would jump attack your hand in the brooder and all. I thought for sure she was a boy. My nephew chose to name her Spiderman. Time progressed and it became clear that Spidey was a she, so we went with Peter Parker's love, MJ

.

I can not wait for tomorrow! I wonder if she will give me a better look then!!

So, planning for the future. She hatched in the coop, but in her little "efficiency apartment." When she would take a break when I was around the coop I would let her out to wander around a bit. She almost always ended up picking a fight with one of the leghorns, or, most recently, darth vader (who is also a girl. I have little boys… they name babies LOL). My thought was this: I want to leave them in the efficiency apartment for about 5 days so the babies can get their feet under them a bit. Then I thought I would remove the cage so MJ can take them where she pleases while hoping and praying she defends them well. Sound reasonable? I am trying not to get hooked at all to these babies. It sounds harsh, but they are free range and we will be going on vacation soon… so they will have to toughen up quick. I do not want to make things difficult on our neighbor who will be taking care of them. It is possible that I could return and they all be gone… I guess the nature of the beast. *IF* by some miracle, I can find the rowdy leghorn cockerels a home, and integrate the 8 week old pullets into the big flock, I could move MJ and the babes to the brooder coop while we are gone. That would be FANTASTIC. Much to do. So little time.

Great news is that my hubby is just was excited about this as I am!! The light bulb went on in his head about hatching and selling chicks, HAH!!

 

[Teila]

Howdy MM

White Polish crossed my mind also but I know nothing about them or how how they should look; the couple I have seen have some pretty fancy head-wear going on

Wow, the timing really was not the best for you hey. With your upcoming holiday your plan sounds like a goer and there is sadly, probably not much else you can do but let nature take it's course, unless you can get everyone else sorted out and go with Plan B.

When the light bulb went on in hubby's head about hatching and selling chicks, he wasn't thinking of making a profit was he? I promise not to damp down his enthusiasm with some reality

Congrats again, so very happy for you

 

[MistyMountain]

Howdy MM 

White Polish crossed my mind also but I know nothing about them or how how they should look; the couple I have seen have some pretty fancy head-wear going on 

Wow, the timing really was not the best for you hey.  With your upcoming holiday your plan sounds like a goer and there is sadly, probably not much else you can do but let nature take it's course, unless you can get everyone else sorted out and go with Plan B.

When the light bulb went on in hubby's head about hatching and selling chicks, he wasn't thinking of making a profit was he?  I promise not to damp down his enthusiasm with some reality 

Congrats again, so very happy for you

I'll be honest... I just guessed white polish from google pictures

Yup, hubby did think profit. I told him for these little mutt babies we would be lucky to get two dollars a piece! Buuuuut I have been thinking about heritage chickens, so that may be the two year plan. I would never be looking to make a huge profit so to speak. My goal would be for the chickens to help pay for themselves.

Edited to add.. since typing on my phone is a pain….
It is probably the worst time for little babies, but had I not done this my neighbor would have had to deal with breaking a broody hen along with the normal chicken chores. This way, hopefully, MJ will do everything that is needed for the babies. It really will be a survival of the fittest. I hope they do well!

 

[ItalyChickie]

Whoa, so much to catch up on! Apologies in advance if I miss anyone! Teila, we seem to have the opposite schedules - Wednesday and Thursdays are usually my busiest days, so I am around a lot more in the beginning of the week, then miss everyone's updates until the weekend!

Here they are...the most recent team broody babies! Splash Suede Suede Splash Chipmunk...It's a little sleepy and not so steady on its feet yet so this is the best shot I could come up with.

Oh the cuteness! It's too much to take in all at once! Here's hoping they're all pullets! I think Mother Nature owes you at the very least a couple of them, what with the ratios you've had in previous hatches. By the way, my question last time probably got lost in the genetics rambling I had tried to retell, but I really am curious to know what color skin Cosmo and Stella have? @halfbakedtulip you have the same cross, right? Are there different skin and leg colors in the chicks?

oh my goodness!!! this is so cute I can't even stand it! I love the blue chicks! and the chipmunk chick, does it have puffy cheeks too? congratulations they are so adorable!!

ItalyChickie, I hope it stops at 2! I am not sure yet about my 2nd broody. She doesn't act broody, or poof out, or make angry sounds in the slightest. She's actually my favorite girl, very calm and lets me pick her up at any time anywhere. no other hens act like that. However, she had an egg eating problem about 1 month ago. When Bertha went broody, I told my husband, at least it wasn't Beetlejuice! (the 2nd broody) and now of course, she is! I guess I have a fear that she will peck open an egg since she's done it before. I cured her egg eating by separating her, giving her nasty eggs, and putting curtains on the nest box. she doesn't eat eggs any more.. sooo not sure... I want to give her some more time, wait to see if she acts broody, puffs up or makes broody sounds. if so, I'll believe her. I might only give her fake eggs though. And maybe slip chicks from the incubator under her. OMG they are going to have so many chicks to raise! I didn't want this many chicks! haha Edit: oh I almost forgot.. I candled Bertha's eggs last night on day 10. I removed 2 java eggs of 6 that were clear. 6/6 BLRW eggs look good. 2 unmarked BLRW eggs were added to the nest in the last couple days by my BLRW Wendy Wyandotte so I pulled those and put them in the incubator.. Bertha has 10 eggs left.

Lol! Broodieness is totally contagious... I had 4 go broody at the same time initially, in a matter of days after the first one. But yeah, give her time... I did also have one that gave up after a few days, so maybe some of them are initially drawn into it but don't quite have the will to commit. Yay for developing eggs!

G’Day Team Broody! Missed a few posts here and there, sorry! IC, at the big butted boys! Me? I got nothing, no broodies, no news and of course, still no eggs! Not complaining, I definitely do not want any dramas and thoroughly enjoying spending time with my girls. I have, however, found myself drooling over all your beautiful bubby pictures and I am no longer wondering if I will cave on my ‘no more hatches’ resolution and now know for a fact that I will definitely give in .. already planning how to set things up depending on who becomes broody and who is going to need to change their sleeping arrangements etc to accommodate the broody … *sigh* I am hopeless! lol

Lol! I knew it, you're as bad as.. Well, the rest of us! You're in the wrong season though, otherwise I'm sure there would be eggs, and broodies, and bubbies! I bet I'll be drooling at your new arrivals when it's spring over there. Oh and I am so not kidding about the big butted boys. Watch this (blackie the number 1 roo candidate next to one of the others):

Oh look, I have gone from 'Overrun with Chickens' to 'Chicken Obsessed' on my profile .. how appropriate!

Congratulations! Finally an appropriate title!

Congratulation Teila on being chicken obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cd :cd Cant wait until I become chicken obsessed, Oh wait a minute, I ALREADY AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, same here! Ignore what my profile says!

@Teila he is in a little bit of shock but not to bad. I will keep him with me. He is eating, I gave him meal worms when we were at the barn. I've had many fox attacks but nothing like this. This fox got desperate for my chickens. I'm just happy I have him in my arm and that he is sleeping. I was crying so hard. I spoil this rooster more than my hens. He means allot to me.I may be injured from the car accident but don't mess with my family. I get super powers like running. XD never ran so fast before. Like I kept up with the fox.

Oh Shelby I was so sad to read this story, both you and Artemis must have been very distressed, but he is extremely lucky that you were there! I have no doubt he will be back to normal in no time with you to take care of him.

Day 20 report. We have babies! I countes at least 6. 2 blacks, 2 light chipmunks, and a bunch of mixed colors!!!

Yay! e Adorable babies, can't wait to see more of them once MJ lets us!

haha chickenalities, I'm going to have to use that one love it I guess, like everything with chickens, it will be a learning experience. I would like to try and keep the mamas in with the flock. I really enjoy the idea of the chicks growing up with the flock, rather than having to go through a transitional period once they're older. I usually brood them inside, then move them to a grow out pen separated by fencing for 2 weeks, then combine during free range with separate sleeping houses, then combine houses. actually I have ~35 chicks in our grow-out area right now which are going to be for meat but that only complicates things, just less housing available.. another reason to keep them in the flock. I also don't want the mamas to get 'forgotten' in the pecking order, since they're at the top now, I hope by leaving them in that they keep the respect they have right now. and last reason... I will probably put these chicks the mamas hatch up for sale, once they are old enough. I wouldn't want to rip them away from her until they are ready. But I'm already growing out about 50 chicks, I didn't really plan for another 10-12 x2 broodies! I will keep the javas though, there are 4 of those eggs left. our nights are getting to about 50F. not bad, really. I am thinking that I will separate a section of the run for the mamas and their chicks with fencing, leaving their cat carrier nests there during the nights. our coop is insulated, so it is always the warmest spot at night, and coolest spot during the day. but the summer weather is to my advantage, and if MN's hen is staying out all night, I think mine would be alright too. this would just be for the first 1 week? or so until they are a little more steady on their feet. I would not want to prevent them from free ranging for too long! OMG the idea of the littlest baby chicks free ranging week 1 is just too much to handle! edit: PS - are Marans known for being broody? so crazy to me that both are broody at once. no one else better go broody. I had to buy eggs yesterday!

What you are planning is similar to what I do, only I set up a fairly large kindergarten area, but the broodies and babies can see the rest of the flock from day one through the fence, and it doesn't seem like they get forgotten. I let them mingle supervised at first, then it's free range for everyone. This time around started at 2 weeks, but they probably would have been fine earlier as well. Oh and they sleep in their little apartments made of bits and pieces of wood, which definitely aren't insulated, and they are fine... In fact it has been so warm that most of them haven't slept under Bonnie but next to her since day 3 or so. Not sure about Marans in particular, but even my leghorn is tempted to go broody when others are ( she always gives up after a few days though) - it really is contagious!

I'm telling you from my own experience that when one hen sees another hen setting it makes her want to set too. It's catching.

Yep, x2.

Woods broody came down today for Herr normal gross poo, food, water and dust bath...still no chicks, but she was clucking away. I got excited because that is what I heard. Broody clucking

Ok I am so curious how this turns out I'm tempted to come over there and help you look for her, lol! Hope she does return with chicks soon!

Can any of you silkie owners help me figure something out? I bought 5 silkies from the feed store 2 months ago. One of them is very different from the others. The one I am speaking of has feathered out and the others still have fluff. It has the five toes but it doesnt have black skin. Take a look at the first picture.

That does not look like silkie feathering, or am I not seeing it? And if it's regular feathering, I'm betting it's a silkie cross. Mine are similar, and there's a silkie cross thread on here that has a bunch of photos, some also look similar to that. So someone probably hopped the fence, and if it was a non-silkie roo, then if the theory mentioned above is correct, it should be a girl. Here's hoping!

So, planning for the future. She hatched in the coop, but in her little "efficiency apartment." When she would take a break when I was around the coop I would let her out to wander around a bit. She almost always ended up picking a fight with one of the leghorns, or, most recently, darth vader (who is also a girl. I have little boys… they name babies LOL). My thought was this: I want to leave them in the efficiency apartment for about 5 days so the babies can get their feet under them a bit. Then I thought I would remove the cage so MJ can take them where she pleases while hoping and praying she defends them well. Sound reasonable? I am trying not to get hooked at all to these babies. It sounds harsh, but they are free range and we will be going on vacation soon… so they will have to toughen up quick. I do not want to make things difficult on our neighbor who will be taking care of them. It is possible that I could return and they all be gone… I guess the nature of the beast. *IF* by some miracle, I can find the rowdy leghorn cockerels a home, and integrate the 8 week old pullets into the big flock, I could move MJ and the babes to the brooder coop while we are gone. That would be FANTASTIC. Much to do. So little time. Great news is that my hubby is just was excited about this as I am!! The light bulb went on in his head about hatching and selling chicks, HAH!!

I will have a similar dilemma with my upcoming hatches, which is why I have been trying to let Bonnie and bubbies out earlier than I usually do, to see how she does... And trying to worry less. And I really do think that we probably worry too much and most of the time they would be perfectly fine left to their own devices, all together, but still can't help but worry! Do keep us posted on how it goes! I will probably be copying whatever you say worked in a few weeks! So, my news, as you may have guessed when I mentioned upcoming hatches is that we're not quite done with chicks for this year yet! Lol! But first the unfortunate news is that Cenere's eggs are definitely not fertile... my boys are just too small for her, it would seem. Which means that the broody twins will not be hatching at the same time, as my original plan was. Out of 7 Pallina's eggs, 6 are developing, so one of the broody twins will become a mom July 2 as planned. The other, I am not sure what to do with... She is still sitting quite stubbornly on nothing, and I want to give her other eggs (more on that in a minute) but it has been two weeks...do you guys think that I should try breaking her instead? She is eating and drinking and dust bathing, and looks quite well, but I do worry. To add to my dilemma, because Pallina is also broody and because I really really wanted blue eggs, I had ordered some araucana eggs, and some Mille fleur booted bantams (similar to d'uccle) which should be shipped tomorrow and here Tuesday... But then I found someone with ameraucanas!!! Those are almost impossible to find here, I had been searching for months! (Not accepted as standard by local organizations) So of course I jumped at the chance and ordered those too... They should be here Thursday. That's a total of 25 eggs, some of which will have to go in the bator, but I am still hoping broodies can raise them for me.. So Pallina will obviously getting some, but she is far too small, even if only half hatch she won't be able to cover the chicks. My best option is to give them to Chiocciola, the broody twin currently sitting on nothing, but if this is too long and she gets sick or something because of such a long time sitting, I'd rather not... Of course there's also the vacation time to consider (August) . I guess I could just sell the extra bator chicks as babies if all else fails, but would love advice/experiences on how long is too long for a broody.

 

[ItalyChickie]

I'll be honest... I just guessed white polish from google pictures

Yup, hubby did think profit. I told him for these little mutt babies we would be lucky to get two dollars a piece! Buuuuut I have been thinking about heritage chickens, so that may be the two year plan. I would never be looking to make a huge profit so to speak. My goal would be for the chickens to help pay for themselves.

Edited to add.. since typing on my phone is a pain….
It is probably the worst time for little babies, but had I not done this my neighbor would have had to deal with breaking a broody hen along with the normal chicken chores. This way, hopefully, MJ will do everything that is needed for the babies. It really will be a survival of the fittest. I hope they do well!

Funny you should mention profit... I'm thinking in that direction too since experiencing first hand how difficult it is to get various breeds here in Italy. I swear my area is exclusively leghorns and red stars, people don't even know other breeds exist. And totally fall in love with mine when they see them.

So I've been pondering, not a clue if it's realistic in my case but might be worth a try. Especially now that I have found the impossible to find ameraucanas... Not until next year, obviously, if all goes well with those shipped eggs and if I get me some girls and 1 boy out of them. Yeah. Need to stop counting my chickens before they hatch. Or before the eggs are even shipped.

 

[ShelbyCoral]

Day 20 report. We have babies! I countes at least 6. 2 blacks, 2 light chipmunks, and a bunch of mixed colors!!!

Cute!

@16paws it's a white sultan, I have one to and it's the same size. They are very pretty! Sweet to and go broody. Your lucky. We named ours tinkerbell.


And everyone another one of our roosterswas attacked last night. But this time it was in the coop on my mother's boyfriends property where I used to live. We think it's a mink or a raccoon. It's almost killed him. His neck is all bloody. I have it wrapped but it won't stop bleeding. He is in shock and won't drink anything or eat. He Is Sleeping allot. He is my self polish black rooster. I was selling him but I took out the ad. it's really bad this year. My coop has netting on top and really secure. These are my mom's chickens. She doesn't put them into the coop and she doesn't close the coop door. She is always saying why is it happening and I'm like... hello? Do I really need to say something? So I'm going to take over. She is not allowed to close up the coop. I'll put the chickens into the coop at night clan close it. Secure it nicely.

 

[16 paws]

Cute!

@16paws it's a white sultan, I have one to and it's the same size. They are very pretty! Sweet to and go broody. Your lucky. We named ours tinkerbell.


And everyone another one of our roosterswas attacked last night. But this time it was in the coop on my mother's boyfriends property where I used to live. We think it's a mink or a raccoon. It's almost killed him. His neck is all bloody. I have it wrapped but it won't stop bleeding. He is in shock and won't drink anything or eat. He Is Sleeping allot. He is my self polish black rooster. I was selling him but I took out the ad.

it's really bad this year. My coop has netting on top and really secure. These are my mom's chickens. She doesn't put them into the coop and she doesn't close the coop door. She is always saying why is it happening and I'm like... hello? Do I really need to say something? So I'm going to take over. She is not allowed to close up the coop. I'll put the chickens into the coop at night clan close it. Secure it nicely.

ShelbyCoral,
I am really sorry to hear about your roos being attacked. That is a terrible thing to go through for you and them. I agree with you on locking things down and making them more secure in their coops.
Unfortunately some of us have a lot of predators around and we just have to be one step ahead of them.
Good thing you are going to take care of them now.


I agree with you on the white sultan, I looked at pix of them on the net and the babies looked just like her. I wonder how I got one of those? She is very pretty though.
Take good care and let us know how its going.
Marie

 

[MistyMountain]

IC, I will definitely let you know how it goes! I am more and more interested in going the heritage route… I really think it could catch on, and why not have something that has a bit of history to it? I wouldn't go large scale, as I would never want to get myself in a pickle if they do not sell and I would need to absorb extras in my flock. Kinda looking for a good all around homesteading chicken. Gotta slow down now… too many mouths to feed right now!!

Shelby, So sorry to hear about your roosters. I hope you can get them patched up and they recover well. It is amazing just how tough those little guys are! Thinking of you!!

I made a counting error. I thought I put 12 eggs under MJ, but really only did 10. As of earlier this afternoon, we have 9 hatched and only one chica egg remaining! Heading outside now to feed everyone and will report back (hopefully with pictures) this afternoon!!