My EE, and 3 bantums hatched out 8 eggs on June 12 or so, they have dropped off in their mothering and now one remains at nearly 8 weeks out. When do they stop?
The golden sebright gave up the ghost in about a week, causing more problems than mothering, so I kicked her out of the care cycle. She has adjusted.
The EE gave up about 3 weeks ago, still lives with them and laying her egg now in the nests she hatched in, but not actively teaching the little ones. I integrated them with the remainder of the flock about 3 weeks ago too, and they even free range in the evening with the flock. (which is really cute, considering this is my first hatch experience, normally they are still separated from flock at this point for me, I LOVE it)
The Old English Game gave up about 3-4 days ago, she looks exhausted, and has taken to resting away from her little ones, such a sweet girl.
However, my Mille Fleur Duccle is still going strong, pecking at other flock members who try to punk out the growing ones with a peck on the head. She calls them to food. They are all easily 1 1/2 times her size now.
As far as whom I would let go and stay broody with eggs again, I would definately pick the D'uccle because she could protect them against the flock if needed, but when will she quit? Is this normal? I know how we had the group hatch wasn't necessarily normal, but once they hatched, they all 4 took care of mothering equally initially. We had a great group experience. Darn cute to boot.
The golden sebright gave up the ghost in about a week, causing more problems than mothering, so I kicked her out of the care cycle. She has adjusted.
The EE gave up about 3 weeks ago, still lives with them and laying her egg now in the nests she hatched in, but not actively teaching the little ones. I integrated them with the remainder of the flock about 3 weeks ago too, and they even free range in the evening with the flock. (which is really cute, considering this is my first hatch experience, normally they are still separated from flock at this point for me, I LOVE it)
The Old English Game gave up about 3-4 days ago, she looks exhausted, and has taken to resting away from her little ones, such a sweet girl.
However, my Mille Fleur Duccle is still going strong, pecking at other flock members who try to punk out the growing ones with a peck on the head. She calls them to food. They are all easily 1 1/2 times her size now.
As far as whom I would let go and stay broody with eggs again, I would definately pick the D'uccle because she could protect them against the flock if needed, but when will she quit? Is this normal? I know how we had the group hatch wasn't necessarily normal, but once they hatched, they all 4 took care of mothering equally initially. We had a great group experience. Darn cute to boot.
