Thanks! EEs and BBS Ameraucanas. That's what the eggs looked like when my chickens resumed laying back in February. They're not nearly as colorful this time of year, but still pretty.
If you do not mind my writing so much..............I have a quick story.
Pulled the eggs out for lockdown and somehow missed one that should have gone in the hatcher........
It hatched anyway, even with my screw up...and I was doing dry incubation.
You just never know, mother nature in control again................
I always seem to end up at the end of these hatch-a-longs. Sigh! And now that all 24 eggs are under broodies, I have little to report. I'll try to candle if I'm lucky to catch a broody, 2 or 3, off their nests today.
I still enjoy hearing how the rest of you guys & gals are doing.
My theories on broodies leaving young behind are; she's a first-timer & feels overwhelmed, there's something physiologically wrong with chick(s) that you can't detect, or she's psychic & knows certain chicks are trouble! Lol!
My black star went broody for first time last year & hatched 7 healthy chicks. The 7th one she abandoned as it hatched out. I put it back under her twice & then she accepted it. Turns out, it was a second cockerel in her brood. She must've known having 2 boys would be trouble. I had to cull them both later, as they were nasty to their sisters & mom. Not like their sweet dad at all! Perhaps just one roo would have made for more peace in the flock?
I sure hope the abandoned chicks do ok! Sounds like broody mama just isn't ready to handle all 9. Would be interesting to note if she goes broody again, how many she will cope with then. Good luck!
Thanks! EEs and BBS Ameraucanas. That's what the eggs looked like when my chickens resumed laying back in February. They're not nearly as colorful this time of year, but still pretty.
Getting closer!
I put 20 more eggs in the bator
They're due to hatch August 3rd. The dozen I have cooking (hatch July 23rd) are all doing great as well.
