I’m not Mother Nature, but..... My journey hatching broody and bator chicks

[Mimi13]

Can they get in and out of the crate nest? Might need a ramp?
View attachment 1640926

They are still on the flat ground in the crate. This picture shows the only obstacle they would have, which is part of the wire crate.

Since this picture was made I have removed the bucket and also put a 1x6 right along the opening. This morning while I was up there watching, I had the gate open and she came out a few times and stretched and they were right in tow, scrambling back and forth over the threshold.

Later today I am going to go ahead and move them out to the coop/run combo that I have set up in the main run. But I will move them back to the coop at sundown.

 

[aart]

Oh I thought you removed the bucket and left the coke crate that it was in.
Where is the wire crate in relation to the mini coop/run..and in relation the flocks territory?

 

[Mimi13]

Not that I really know enough about it all to be impressed, but this young broody has made an impression on me. I know it’s all nature and instincts, but I love seeing it.

First of all, the minimal amount of time it takes for a chick to develop to hatching is amazing. Then, the hatching process itself is mind blowing. I have yet to witness it first hand, but I will later this week!
Then the broody brings the chicks out and teaches them to eat! Wow, just wow. She will scratch on the ground and make the “come and get it” sound and the chicks run around excitedly and peck at exactly what she intended them to get. And the most precious part of it to me is when she talks to them, trying to get them to eat, the chicks look up at her as if to say, “Am I doing it right? Am I getting the food? Yummy, is there more?” They actually give her looks of admiration. They love that broody, the one who brought them to life, they are now inseparable.

This particular pullet was not one to jump in my lap, as some do, nor was she particularly fond of me picking her up, but I could. However, during this entire broody process, which included two days of removing her from the nest and placing her in a broody breaker cage, she has grown accustomed to me touching, holding, and even picking her up. After saying all that, she seems very comfortable with me being around her chicks, even to the point of not getting bent out of shape as I tried to cram myself in the cage with them - only to be as close to them as I could. No joke, the majority of my time up in the coop I was laying on my stomach under the poop board with my head and shoulders shimmied into the cage. Now picture that. And picture the look on the other chickens’ faces as they entered the coop. And then they promptly jumped up on my legs and back. Crazy birds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I just realized I never posted this several hours ago! So I have something to add to it now.

I moved the broody and chicks to their own little coop/run. At first the broody was like WHAT?
I had placed the chicks in a little apple picking basket all covered up and walked out into the run. I really thought she would follow, but she was too unsure of what was going on I think. She started out the pop door and then turned around and went back in. I just went back in and picked her up and carried momma and babies. When I set them all in on the shavings and dry leaves the momma went wild. She was scratching and clucking and clucking and scratching and the chicks were watching intently, probably trying their best not to get covered up by the flying litter. It was quite hilarious.

Anyway I’ll say it again. She has been a real trooper. She will feed them and let them run around awhile, but never let them stay out for more than 5 minutes. I am more than impressed with this Black Copper Marans. My little Miss Molly.

 

[Mimi13]

Oh I thought you removed the bucket and left the coke crate that it was in.
Where is the wire crate in relation to the mini coop/run..and in relation the flocks territory?

Sorry I’m just now responding. It’s been a wild day here. My DS, DIL, and grandson are moving out and into their own house and...need I say more? But, !
The wire crate is under the poop board across from the nest boxes. And the mini coop/run is out in the big chicken run. Both are smack dab in the middle of the flock’s territory. They are now in a larger space, safe from predators, and will get more exposure to the flock in general.

 

[aart]

It IS indeed pretty amazing!

 

[Cyprus]

 

[Kfults]

I left my broody in her cage with the door open after a week she had her 4 babies out in the coop and by 10 days old she had them out in the hen yard. They are now almost 3 weeks old and they go everywhere with mom among the flock! The other hens don’t pay them any attention except the occasional light peck to reinforce they are higher ranked “move away”
I read a lot of other post about letting momma have her babies with the flock as early as possible to integrate as young as possible ( before she looses her protective instinct)
Having her in a separate coup means integration later. I liked letting momma do the integration for me!

 

[Mimi13]

I left my broody in her cage with the door open after a week she had her 4 babies out in the coop and by 10 days old she had them out in the hen yard. They are now almost 3 weeks old and they go everywhere with mom among the flock! The other hens don’t pay them any attention except the occasional light peck to reinforce they are higher ranked “move away”
I read a lot of other post about letting momma have her babies with the flock as early as possible to integrate as young as possible ( before she looses her protective instinct)
Having her in a separate coup means integration later. I liked letting momma do the integration for me!

Thank you for all your insight. It is exactly what I need and yes, I agree and that is what I plan on doing with her and these chicks. They are just 2 & 3 days old today. It has been pretty rainy, windy and chilly here. I am going to keep watch and open their run door when they are not running back underneath her every 5 minutes. I hope the wind and rain don’t complicate matters. I have never had a broody before and I’m learning as I go.

Thank you very much. I may be asking you more questions.

 

[WVduckchick]

Not that I really know enough about it all to be impressed, but this young broody has made an impression on me. I know it’s all nature and instincts, but I love seeing it.

First of all, the minimal amount of time it takes for a chick to develop to hatching is amazing. Then, the hatching process itself is mind blowing. I have yet to witness it first hand, but I will later this week!
Then the broody brings the chicks out and teaches them to eat! Wow, just wow. She will scratch on the ground and make the “come and get it” sound and the chicks run around excitedly and peck at exactly what she intended them to get. And the most precious part of it to me is when she talks to them, trying to get them to eat, the chicks look up at her as if to say, “Am I doing it right? Am I getting the food? Yummy, is there more?” They actually give her looks of admiration. They love that broody, the one who brought them to life, they are now inseparable.

This particular pullet was not one to jump in my lap, as some do, nor was she particularly fond of me picking her up, but I could. However, during this entire broody process, which included two days of removing her from the nest and placing her in a broody breaker cage, she has grown accustomed to me touching, holding, and even picking her up. After saying all that, she seems very comfortable with me being around her chicks, even to the point of not getting bent out of shape as I tried to cram myself in the cage with them - only to be as close to them as I could. No joke, the majority of my time up in the coop I was laying on my stomach under the poop board with my head and shoulders shimmied into the cage. Now picture that. And picture the look on the other chickens’ faces as they entered the coop. And then they promptly jumped up on my legs and back. Crazy birds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I just realized I never posted this several hours ago! So I have something to add to it now.

I moved the broody and chicks to their own little coop/run. At first the broody was like WHAT?
I had placed the chicks in a little apple picking basket all covered up and walked out into the run. I really thought she would follow, but she was too unsure of what was going on I think. She started out the pop door and then turned around and went back in. I just went back in and picked her up and carried momma and babies. When I set them all in on the shavings and dry leaves the momma went wild. She was scratching and clucking and clucking and scratching and the chicks were watching intently, probably trying their best not to get covered up by the flying litter. It was quite hilarious.

View attachment 1641613

Anyway I’ll say it again. She has been a real trooper. She will feed them and let them run around awhile, but never let them stay out for more than 5 minutes. I am more than impressed with this Black Copper Marans. My little Miss Molly.

View attachment 1641614

Pretty magical, isn’t it??
Miss Molly is doing great, as are you. And those chicks are too stinkin adorable!

I left my broody in her cage with the door open after a week she had her 4 babies out in the coop and by 10 days old she had them out in the hen yard. They are now almost 3 weeks old and they go everywhere with mom among the flock! The other hens don’t pay them any attention except the occasional light peck to reinforce they are higher ranked “move away”
I read a lot of other post about letting momma have her babies with the flock as early as possible to integrate as young as possible ( before she looses her protective instinct)
Having her in a separate coup means integration later. I liked letting momma do the integration for me!

Glad yours are doing well too!
And I agree, I usually block mine in for the first week, then let momma handle it when she is ready. All my broodies do the integration job, making it so much easier on me. I do help with night time ramp climbing, until I’m sure they are all getting inside.

 

[Mimi13]

I just love the sound of a chick’s trill!