I started with two broodies, 16 eggs a piece. I got a bit sick, so I never candled. Wednesday afternoon, had 4, by Thursday afternoon, had 15 hatch!
The rest I listened carefully too, and heard nothing so disposed of them.
I don't have a lot of pens or can easily separate things, and I did not want the whole reintegration with the flock issues, so being brave or crazy, I left the broodies in the coop, in the nest of their choice. They never left it for long, in fact, I only caught one off the nest the whole time.
Wednesday night, I locked the layer hens and the rooster in the run, but out of the coop, as the Hens were still sitting on the eggs, and the early hatchers were running around, and I did not want another hen to thump on them.
thursday morning early, I let the layers and rooster out to free range. The mama's had the chicks out in the run in the shade by afternoon, and when a thunderstorm blew up, got them back in the coop, then back out, then back in for the night. After they were all tucked in, I let the layers back in the run, and they roosted in the coop that night.
I am leaving the gate to the run open so everyone has enough space, but the Momma's are quite protective (they are sharing their duties, like good sisters, I gave them eggs at the same time, so they hatched together) and the other hens are not bothering the babies at all!
Thanks for being with me on the exciting adventure, it is more fun when you have someone to share with ....that understands.
Mrs.K I have pictures, but will have to look for directions on how to post.
I don't have a lot of pens or can easily separate things, and I did not want the whole reintegration with the flock issues, so being brave or crazy, I left the broodies in the coop, in the nest of their choice. They never left it for long, in fact, I only caught one off the nest the whole time.
Wednesday night, I locked the layer hens and the rooster in the run, but out of the coop, as the Hens were still sitting on the eggs, and the early hatchers were running around, and I did not want another hen to thump on them.
thursday morning early, I let the layers and rooster out to free range. The mama's had the chicks out in the run in the shade by afternoon, and when a thunderstorm blew up, got them back in the coop, then back out, then back in for the night. After they were all tucked in, I let the layers back in the run, and they roosted in the coop that night.
I am leaving the gate to the run open so everyone has enough space, but the Momma's are quite protective (they are sharing their duties, like good sisters, I gave them eggs at the same time, so they hatched together) and the other hens are not bothering the babies at all!
Thanks for being with me on the exciting adventure, it is more fun when you have someone to share with ....that understands.
