Hatching with 2 broodies

[Farmer Viola]

Not detracting from 16 paws current dilemma, I wanted to share our plans for the weekend, weather permitting.

As some of you know, we have the Chateau at one end of the run and the Ranch at the other. For broodies and chicks, the Chateau can be easily segregated from the run by closing one small door. This worked well on the last hatch and yes, I will be using this method again … I now know that my ‘no more hatches’ was so much an idle threat

Anyway, hopefully without boring the pants of all, when the Chateau-door was opened following Cilla and Blondie’s reintegration into the flock, Dusty went back to sleeping in the Chateau with Cilla and Blondie and Tina and Lulu were bunking down at the other end of the run in the Ranch.

I was not particularly happy with having 3 girls sleep in one coop and 2 in the other and have been pondering a solution for a while now.

This has now become a bit of an issue for them also. As Cilla has returned to her #1 chicken spot and they are a single happy flock, she is also not happy with some of her charges sleeping at the other end of the run and keeps running up and down the run at bed time trying to check on everyone. Also, LuLu runs up and down the run trying to be with Tina and the others at the same time; she eventually settles with Tina but I can see she is not happy with the separate quarters.

Last night LuLu tried to sleep with everyone else in the Chateau, leaving Tina alone in the Ranch (not good) but she kept going backwards and forwards so often, Dusty, Cilla and Blondie got thrown out of whack and in the end, because it was getting dark, I had to put them up on the roost, into bed etc.

Hoping to cut a long story short … I thought about trying to teach everyone to sleep in the Ranch (it is big enough) but this would upset Dusty, Cilla and Blondie. Also, on the next hatch, the chick that I keep will be used to sleeping in the Chateau and I would be right back where I started, having to teach them to start sleeping in the Ranch at the other end of the run. I cannot teach them all to sleep in the Chateau, which would probably only upset Tina, because it is not big enough. So, after much deliberation and discussion, this weekend we are going to move the Ranch down to the same end of the run and back it onto the Chateau; make some ‘renovations’ so that they become one and will be known as the Condo. We are going to do this in such a way that when we have a broody or chicks the Chateau can be ‘recreated’ without much effort but this way, everyone will still be in the same 'coop' but still able to sleep in their favourite spot.

It is going to take a bit of doing and a bit of remodelling but we figure that spending a few evenings getting everyone off to bed while they get used to the new set up is going to be much easier that this continued confusion at bedtime which is getting worse, not better.

Wish us luck! I will take some before and after piccies

That sounds like a lot of work, but the best possible solution for your chooks. I can't exactly picture how the Chateau recreation will happen in between the Ranch and the Run, so I am very interested to see your photos in the follow up! Your ladies are very lucky to have such a caring momma

 

[Farmer Viola]

Teehee Farmer Viola the only thing that counts is pullets who are at POL or beyond. LF =1 Bantams = .5. Roosters are their own catagory but the same rule applies LF roosters ar 1. Bantams are.5. Using this formula...which is the ONLY correct chicken math formula @16 paws has 1.5 roosters and there is NO WAY to get rid of a half rooster.

Glad you guys like my new babies. I can't wait to get my hands on them.

HA HA

now THAT is a chickenmath formula if I ever saw one! love it

 

[tommysgirl]

Not detracting from 16 paws current dilemma, I wanted to share our plans for the weekend, weather permitting.

As some of you know, we have the Chateau at one end of the run and the Ranch at the other. For broodies and chicks, the Chateau can be easily segregated from the run by closing one small door. This worked well on the last hatch and yes, I will be using this method again … I now know that my ‘no more hatches’ was so much an idle threat

Anyway, hopefully without boring the pants of all, when the Chateau-door was opened following Cilla and Blondie’s reintegration into the flock, Dusty went back to sleeping in the Chateau with Cilla and Blondie and Tina and Lulu were bunking down at the other end of the run in the Ranch.

I was not particularly happy with having 3 girls sleep in one coop and 2 in the other and have been pondering a solution for a while now.

This has now become a bit of an issue for them also. As Cilla has returned to her #1 chicken spot and they are a single happy flock, she is also not happy with some of her charges sleeping at the other end of the run and keeps running up and down the run at bed time trying to check on everyone. Also, LuLu runs up and down the run trying to be with Tina and the others at the same time; she eventually settles with Tina but I can see she is not happy with the separate quarters.

Last night LuLu tried to sleep with everyone else in the Chateau, leaving Tina alone in the Ranch (not good) but she kept going backwards and forwards so often, Dusty, Cilla and Blondie got thrown out of whack and in the end, because it was getting dark, I had to put them up on the roost, into bed etc.

Hoping to cut a long story short … I thought about trying to teach everyone to sleep in the Ranch (it is big enough) but this would upset Dusty, Cilla and Blondie. Also, on the next hatch, the chick that I keep will be used to sleeping in the Chateau and I would be right back where I started, having to teach them to start sleeping in the Ranch at the other end of the run. I cannot teach them all to sleep in the Chateau, which would probably only upset Tina, because it is not big enough. So, after much deliberation and discussion, this weekend we are going to move the Ranch down to the same end of the run and back it onto the Chateau; make some ‘renovations’ so that they become one and will be known as the Condo. We are going to do this in such a way that when we have a broody or chicks the Chateau can be ‘recreated’ without much effort but this way, everyone will still be in the same 'coop' but still able to sleep in their favourite spot.

It is going to take a bit of doing and a bit of remodelling but we figure that spending a few evenings getting everyone off to bed while they get used to the new set up is going to be much easier that this continued confusion at bedtime which is getting worse, not better.

Wish us luck! I will take some before and after piccies

It sounds like you have a great solution. Wishing you luck!!

yes, it's that time again..... MORE PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!

I am so in love with this little family

here they are starting to explore further away from the coop and run


this is inside the run. these smart mamas relocated the babies inside the safety of the run yesterday; no more cat carrier nest.


fluffy butts!!!


hard to get a non blurry photo of these fuzzballs!


I just love this photo!!


this is the only splash blue laced red wyandotte, and this is the one with the limp. she's walking on it more today, and can get around with the mamas, but needs to lay down and rest in between.

So darling and yes I love the chick behind the little purple flower! Thanks for sharing!

 

[16 paws]

Teila,
Your kind response has brought tears to my eyes. I am so thankful to have someone that understands! You really do hold a special place in all our hearts here.....

I look forward to your posts everyday and I know I am not the only one. Your response has really cheered me up and now I really feel I am doing the right thing. I feel like roos have a hard enough time in life, if I can make one or two a good home then I will. I have been thinking of selling this house and downsizing so if she makes me mad enough maybe I will do just that. Or maybe I should just stay here with the loudest roo I can find and let her move.

This thread has been so encouraging, uplifting, funny and a place to learn all we can about these crazy creatures.It is also a place to share our sadness when something doesnt go right and we lose one along the way. Keeping chickens has taught me alot and I am grateful to have nice people to share it with! I feel so blessed to "know" all of you on this thread and I really want to thank everyone for just listening.
Thanks to everyone...

Marie

 

[Teila]

TG Sorry, with 16 paws not so good news and my head full of ‘remodelling’ I neglected to congratulate you on the bator-bubbies .. cuteness overload!

FV I think I am safe in saying that we all love your little family also .. keep the pictures coming and I also love the picture you now have as your Avatar; adorable! I note in piccie #2, mumma is still giving you the ‘back away from my bubbies’ look lol

Yep, trust me, I have been trying to worm my way out of the remodel because it is going to be tricky but the needs of the chickens is greater than my need for a relaxing weekend

I will definitely let you know how it goes and take lots of pictures.

Thanks everyone for the best wishes on the plan.

16 paws stop! You are going to make me cry! Team Broody are a very important part of my life also and I feel a close connection to all of you. I truly believe it is a special thread because regardless of our degree of knowledge or lack of knowledge it is one place that we do seem to understand each other and there is no such thing as a silly question or judgemental response.

OK Team, put our heads together, what ‘legal’ noises can 16 paws make in the morning to muffle the sounds of crowing roosters? If the noise is legal, cranky neighbour can do squat about it! 16 paws getting a little hard of hearing are you? Need to have the radio up a little loud? Maybe you cannot quite hear the television and need to turn it up a bit? We have a heap of wild birds in our area that make way more noise than any rooster, would you like me to send you a recording? Been doing a spot of babysitting of late? Toddler teething? Last time I checked ‘crying babies’ were not ‘illegal’ try complaining about that cranky neighbour! Lol

I am sure the Team can come up with something ‘legal’ which will p*ss her off way more than a little rooster crow .. we will teach her to mess with a member of Team Broody!

PS. Cilla is currently announcing to the neighbourhood that she is going to lay an egg sometime this morning. She is wandering around making the funniest noises while she tries to boot Tina and LuLu out of the Chateau and Blondie is faithfully following her around .. so cute! The sooner I get the Condo done and one nice big space for all, the better!

 

[16 paws]

LMHO on getting rid of one half of a rooster Tommysgirl. Congratulations on your newbies from the bator, they are super sweet. Are you thinking the black one is a roo? Sorry, I really dont know but they sure are darling.
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Teila,
I think that is a great idea on the remodel. I also agree they will be happier when it is done. I think they like being one happy group. I love doing those projects, just ask my son and hubby, they say I obsess about the chickens quarters. Oh well, its better than obsessing on a lot of other things right? If I was closer I would put on my little tool belt and come on over to lend you a hand.

I like your idea of making some "legal noise" hummmm, well have to see about that.

In the meantime tonight I will go measure my roosters necks so I can order the collars for them. I researched it a little today and really want to try it. I cant even catch those darn boys, they are so fast, thats why I will go in tonight when they are on the roost.
Marie

 

[16 paws]

wow, that a terrible neighbor. I am glad that you hung up, I probably would have said something nasty I would later regret too. I would be interested to know if that 25 is actual chickens, or if chicks count as chickens? I really hope you get to keep your boys, it would be a shame for someone like her to win.

Teila has some great ideas already. I have also heard that keeping them in the dark keeps them from crowing, but it also seems sad... some people put a piece of velcro around their neck and that somehow stops crowing, too.

Thanks Farmer Viola,

I will soon find out if chicks count.

Your newbies are so cute. I also am in love with the picture in the grass with the flowers. That is a definite kodak moment!
Enjoy your family.
Marie

 

[tommysgirl]

LMHO on getting rid of one half of a rooster Tommysgirl. Congratulations on your newbies from the bator, they are super sweet. Are you thinking the black one is a roo? Sorry, I really dont know but they sure are darling.
Marie

Hey...it's just the facts Marie

Thanks I think I may go get them on Saturday morning if they are done hatching. I don't know if the dark one is a roo or not. I just hope I get one of each...of course 3 pullets and a cockerel would be better but what are the odds of ME getting that??

 

[tommysgirl]

TG Sorry, with 16 paws not so good news and my head full of ‘remodelling’ I neglected to congratulate you on the bator-bubbies .. cuteness overload!


OK Team, put our heads together, what ‘legal’ noises can 16 paws make in the morning to muffle the sounds of crowing roosters? If the noise is legal, cranky neighbour can do squat about it! 16 paws getting a little hard of hearing are you? Need to have the radio up a little loud? Maybe you cannot quite hear the television and need to turn it up a bit? We have a heap of wild birds in our area that make way more noise than any rooster, would you like me to send you a recording? Been doing a spot of babysitting of late? Toddler teething? Last time I checked ‘crying babies’ were not ‘illegal’ try complaining about that cranky neighbour! Lol

Has Cilla followed through yet? teehee

Oh and I think what 16 paws needs is peacocks. No one complains about roosters round here either b/c the peas are soo loud!