Illinois...

[tbitt]

Ha... I sent you a PM before I saw this..........

 

[kfacres]

I love for my broodies to hatch.....I'm not so in love with incubating them myself. I don't have a turner in the old Farm Master cabinet incubator so I have to hand turn three times a day when incubating....

My 'bator is old but holds very reliable temps and if I used it more often I would look into adding turners but I have great broody hens that are willing to hatch for me so haven't needed to at this point. Why.......you got eggs you need hatched?! What kind?!

yes, cornish--- too bad you are so far away.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

I love for my broodies to hatch.....I'm not so in love with incubating them myself. I don't have a turner in the old Farm Master cabinet incubator so I have to hand turn three times a day when incubating....

My 'bator is old but holds very reliable temps and if I used it more often I would look into adding turners but I have great broody hens that are willing to hatch for me so haven't needed to at this point. Why.......you got eggs you need hatched?! What kind?!

I love to watch the broodies hatch the eggs and tend to young too but...
The offspring are so much more wild even with our best efforts. Our new cock, Gorgeous George won't let me even photograph him. He won't come for treats, he won't be petted, he doesn't want anything to do with people. All the birds brought up except one, under broodies are like that. Any advice?

 

[Jerrysmom]

I am in Illinois!! In Plainfield

 

[NotAFarm]

I am in Illinois!! In Plainfield

and to the Illinois thread Jerrysmom!! Do you currently have chickens? If so, what kind?

 

[Jerrysmom]

Well right now I have one rooster but on March 21st I will be getting 5 buff orpingtons!! WOOOOHOOOOO There is just sooooooo much to learn and I have been hard at work looking up and reading everything I can before they get here. We do have our coop built though and I am working on the brooder. Any good advice? I will take any that anyone has to offer!

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote:

Hi Denise!! It helps to start with hens that are at least tolerant of you. Mine all know what a can of corn looks like....not cracked feed corn, but "whole kernel sweet corn" that you can get at ALDI for .49 a can corn. I can hand feed about everyone, if the "pigs" of the bunch don't run the lower ranking ones off!

When I have a broody, I usually put them in a separate place (I have one small coop inside my main coop but also use extra dog kennels), I bring her a special treat once and awhile when she is brooding. As soon as she is done hatching, I bring scrambled eggs w/ blended rolled oats and corn cooked into them. I do this regularly...I also have a small mealworm "farm" and bring mealworms to momma and chicks so she can show them what they are. The chicks soon learn that I am the "treat person" and they look forward to me being around. I try to pick-up and hold everyone a few times when they are a few days old so they know I'm not going to kill them, which is what they sound like the first time I do it. It helps if the momma is distracted with treats so she doesn't flog me. My hens that have had more than one brood know the routine and don't really bother me, they know I'm not there to hurt anyone. I only have three that I would say with confidence that I can catch, pickup and hold without using my "catch net". I don't know if that helps you or not!

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

First I want to say Hello to my new neighbor in Plainfield, JERRYSMOM!!!!!
Hey girlfriend! I'm in Joliet, by the race track!!!! Welcome!!!!!!

Mary:
All my birds are sweet tempered and unafraid of me. They come when called by flock and most, individually by name. Not when Mark does it but when I do it. The hen in question is one that does not know her name but will come when I call the flock. She is unafraid. We did hold the babies often. They just didn't want to be held. The hen never challenged us. Each and every one of them was goofy like that though. I did not show them I was the treat lady like you suggest. I will next time. Thanks for the good advice.

Denise

 

[tbitt]

I was out today at the eye Dr. and while I was in the waiting area I day dreamed about what I can do here at home to "raise" yummies for the ducks and chicks.

I actually wondered about meal worms. How do you do do it NotAFarm?

And, Hello Jerrysmom.

I live out in nowhereville but work in Naperville, right on the Plainfield boarder.
There are a TON of chicken hatching people not to far from you....I envy your location....You are a hop, skip and a jump from just about any breed you should ever want. ...me? Not so much. LOL


You want to know what I am using as a brooder? A large dog crate....... right in my living room

*blush*
I pull the door off when we are home, and put it back on when we leave or can not watch them.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Yes, the living room.
all the rest of our birds grew up there.
That is also a difference.
Except those nasty barred rocks Mark had me get. They grew up with us, around us, enjoying the warmth of the inside of our home and peck at my hand when I collect the eggs, rarely come for treat, don't know their names, break holes in the Ameraucanas' eggs...and they're still just pullets!!!