Maine

[quailtrail]

Congrats on this hatch!  I hope your little ICU babies survive.  At least you gave them a fighting chance.

thanks!!! Sometimes being a nurse comes in handy!!!

 

[Jazor]

There were 4 pullets and a hen in the coop that I 'tested' for a broody. The sure sign that someone was going broody for me was when feathers were being added- not just a few that are usually found in a nest box but a handful of feathers. Then when the same girl was in the box at different times throughout the day I could narrow it down to which girl it was. After the egg count started to stay about the same I checked at night to see if anyone was on the eggs. I know it isn't always feasible but the rest of the flick was moved to a different coop when the broody couldn't dust bathe due to the male trying to mate, that was about the fifth day in. Egg production has picked back up with the other girls (I don't know why they ALL want to quit laying when only 1 was setting) and the broody girl has done very well so far. I did get worried when she was out in the evening the other day but she was expecting her treat and the eggs were still warm I hope this helps with other newby broody mommas both chicken and human! Lol

Mine is a silkie. She has built herself a little nest under the ramp that leads out of the barn into their run (see photo below). She sits there nearly all day (and sleeps there at night) and only comes out maybe two times a day for food water and actually manages to get out in the yard for a minute then goes back to her nest. I'd like to put a couple eggs under her to see how she does, but I'll need to move her out of the main coop for that. Not sure if it will break her of being broody, guess there's only one way to find out.

 

[lazy gardener]

Go for it! Is she on eggs now?

 

[CoopChick719]

Only 1 who actually stood there for a bit!

 

[quailtrail]

ICI update...we are calling it the Intensive Care Incubator. One just passed away The other is still breathing but doesn't look good.

My splayed leg and curled toes is still not walking. Taped foot and shackles it just tips over and "swims" with its wings. Had in a cup but looks like its neck is an issue now. So placed in a small dish so the others can't peck at her. She is taking the nutri-drench ok but then falls asleep. Fingers crossed!!!

The other 7 are thriving and so adorable! !!

The 8 week olds did some distant grazing with the big girls until my roo tried to mate one. She saw him coming and squatted down. Hoping thats a gd sign!!! Moved their cage out into the garage for the night and will continue to integrate them.

 

[lazy gardener]

I let the "chicks" out for a bit. About 1/2 of them took advantage of the opportunity, foraging at the edge of the woods. I can leave the electronet gate open all day, and they won't go near the opening... of course now that they've tasted freedom they'll be storming the gate every time i open it.

The ugly little sex links (until recently, they've reminded me of the black monkeys on the wizard of oz) are finally starting to look like respectable birds. They're getting some of the nice irridescent beetle sheen to their feathers. Before, their feathers reminded me of black moth wings. They also have dark buggy eyes. They're EE x PBR. I think it's fun to play with various crosses for home made sex links. If i do any breeding next year, the sex links will likely be EE x Dominique. Still toying with the thought of adding some Buckeye to the mix. Last year's RIR x PBR is a stunning bird. She doesn't have a speck of brown on her, just that beetle sheen, and her comb and wattles are very small. And she lays like crazy. Just a nice little bird wtih excellent manners. According to one of the charts i've read, it takes about 3 generations to create an auto-sexing bird by repeated crossing several generations of barred/non-barred birds. May do some studying on that in my spare time this winter.

 

[hoppy]

Mine is a silkie. She has built herself a little nest under the ramp that leads out of the barn into their run (see photo below). She sits there nearly all day (and sleeps there at night) and only comes out maybe two times a day for food water and actually manages to get out in the yard for a minute then goes back to her nest. I'd like to put a couple eggs under her to see how she does, but I'll need to move her out of the main coop for that. Not sure if it will break her of being broody, guess there's only one way to find out.

 

[CoopChick719]

What do you think, @Jazor? Fox fur? Found behind the coop near some teeny, tiny poop.

 

[CoopChick719]

Meaties have been processed. I don't know their weights yet picking them up after DH's eye appt. I told them each this morning that they had been good boys and thanked them for their sacrifice! DH wanted to know if I gave them Last Rites too.

Layer chicks have moved into small outside pen that meaties were in. They are loving it!!
Want them to stay there for at least a week before we try free ranging w/the big girls. I know...I know... I'm coddling them!

 

[lazy gardener]

So much fun to see the littles "spreading their wings" and learning to free range. Litterally! They've decided that they can fly over the netting when they want to get out. Time to clip some wings. I continue to put a sprinkling of scratch on each of the big ant hills out back every day that i let the littles out. I'm concerned about tomorrow b/c i've had to pull the battery to the fence charger to get it replaced, so they'll be all night tonight and all day tomorrow without electricity. No one will be home most of the day.