Letting my broody raise 20 meaties. Now I have a rooster raising 50 CX chicks~new batch!

[jaku]

Wow, such a great idea for small batches of broilers. Do you think she could handle my 75?

 

[Beekissed]

I don't know...I just kept stuffing babies under her!

I thought 20 was excessive! Hey, there is a lady on here with nine broodies....maybe we could put them to work??

 

[Chicken411]

That is adorable! What a cute picture.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Just keeping this post alive.....any updates?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Wow interesting post.


20 chicks - she is going to be a busy mom.

 

[Beekissed]

The chicks are doing great and mama seems to be very happy! They are getting a lot of feathers and are eating their way through a bag of chick starter like lightning....

This next week I am going to turn them in with my layer flock and they will be total free ranged from then on and will be eating whatever my flock eats.

For now, the opening between the broody pen and the coop has been uncovered so the flock can see and hear them, so as to acclimate mama and chicks to the flock. This has worked well in the past...there is a wire barrier there, so they can see and hear them but cannot touch.

The chicks are very healthy and bright eyed....astonishing how much water they drink, though. I will take pics of their first day on the grass and show you their growth as of then.

 

[Luke0987654321]

wow!
shes going to have a hand full with those,
their meat will be very nice because of the free ranging.
luke.

 

[Luke0987654321]

any more updates?
how are they doing?

luke.

 

[Beekissed]

Just moved them into the big coop with the ladies and they are doing well....no incidents. They are huge! And ugly.....

I just checked on them and mama is bedded down in the corner in the deep litter and the babies are trying to fit under her and on top of her...hilarious because they are so big now that it's a comedy!

They are very active and vigorous and full as ticks. Tomorrow comes the real workout....if she takes them outside at all, they will have to climb up and down a ramp to get back in the coop with the food and water. This ought to give them a little work out and build proper muscle and bones for this growth of theirs.

I'll take pics of them out on the grass when it happens.....for now they seem very healthy and content, getting plenty of food and water and are staying warm on these chilly nights. No losses or illness yet, just fat chicks.

 

[Beekissed]

Checked on them this morning and they are happy and healthy. A few of the hens peck them on the head when they venture near them but they don't do it repeatedly and there have been no injuries. Big gals are too busy out on the grass...but I doubt mama will take them out today as it is raining and cool. I figure she knows it will be hard to keep track of all those babies on the outside and is just not going to chance it yet. Good mom!