hi everyone!

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Uhhhh. lol I had him out last night putting a plywood roof over my "greenhouse turned chickencoop" to protect them from the ice that I hear is on the way. We had 4 layers of that heavy industrial plastic over the top but yesterday we had some ice and it sagged a bit so it scared me. We now have a plywood roof with overhangs over the plastic so no water, or ice is getting in. It was cold, freezing drizzling rains/sleet and he was cussing the chickens. Ha Ha. Oh well, he eats the eggs!!!!!
 
LOL!

It's okay. Your other half might surprise you like mine did last night.

I was mulling over telling him that I wanted to make another pen, and he up and noted that next spring, he wants Muscovies, so we need to get the perimeter fence up to snuff! Could have knocked me over with a feather.
 
ha ha ha I think secretly they really do like them. But they will never tell us. Muscovies, nice!

I tried to check the eggs, mark and count them but she threw a fit. She is one MAD momma. I had gloves on and tried to talk to her, pet her first but she wasnt having it!!! I tried again today but she pecks and puffs up and startes thrashing around it makes me afraid for the eggs. I will try to wait until night. It was not quite dark last night when I tried. I tried again today, same thing. Maybe if it is completely dark???
Or should I have my husband secure her and just do it??? I dont want to upset her too much but I need to mark the eggs and this is going to be a daily chore to remove the other eggs. I need a plan.
Any advice
 
Wow. I do not have advice for that. Maybe just leave her alone at this point? She should stop laying eggs once she's really brooding them, so all her chicks will hatch at the same time. She'll roll any 'duds' out of the nest, if I recall broody behavior.
 
It should be easier to check the eggs after dark, but you can also just take her off the nest and put her in a dark box or crate covered with a towel something (to keep her calm) during the day. If she is really broody she should be OK and still sit when you put her back. Do you only have one nest box, or is she brooding in the favorite one? You could try blocking her nest off for part of the day, or when the other chicken is laying, so she doesn't always get in the nest box with momma.... broodys usually only get off the nest once a day or so anyhow. Is the nest box at ground level?
 
Yes, there are two long nesting boxes just a few inches off the ground. She is sitting in the favorite spot for both hens and today the other hen was just about sitting on top of her. I decided to leave her alone today and wait, hoping I could catch the few minutes she may be off the nest... no such luck.
 
Yea!!! I have 7 eggs. Counted and marked. I caught her off the nest a little while ago and ran like a crazy person outside with my sharpie. Since I dont know which ones are new she will just have to sit on them all. Day 5...I absolutely cant wait! I am trying to decide where she will go after...or just before. I only have 1 other hen and 2 roosters and they all get along great. I dont think the roosters will bother them but they will be winter babies so I think I may move them all to the barn when we get close to the day.
Is it weird to sit in the coop all day and just watch her? lol
 
texgardengal said:
Is it weird to sit in the coop all day and just watch her? lol
Click to expand...

Nope.

And you're down in Texas? The chicks should be fine as long as they don't get wet. Mama will keep them nice and toasty, and anecdotal evidence suggests that winter born chicks are bigger and hardier than those from the rest of the year!
 
Yes, It has been down in the upper 20's low 30's the last few night but the 20's is really not the norm for us. Dallas/FW is pretty mild as far as temps. I live farther west that FW so it's a little colder here but from what I'm reading on the site it's nothing here compared to the weather some of you guys get. The teens or below....wow. Are you in Washington?
With baby chicks hatching out in the winter do you think they will be okay out in the coop? Or should I plan on moving them??
 

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