Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[wannahomestead]

up to 7 confirmed hatches, 3 eggs still in wait.

 

[wannahomestead]

up to 7 confirmed hatches, 3 eggs still in wait.

Apparently math is a hard concept for me.

I have 10 chicks. the 3 eggs, were eggs that someone else laid in that nest box. I realized that today when I checked again and the eggs weren't marked.

So 100% hatch rate if you don't count the 2 that had physical damage. not bad for my first hatch! Thanks broody australorp, that'll do.

 

[aart]

Quote: LOL!!

Congrats!

So is the nest up high? The chicks need to be able to get back into it after they start wandering with mama.
The other birds will probably be fine with the chicks, mama might get a few fights tho.
Just keep an eye out, and have that other safe place ready in case of worst case scenario.

 

[wannahomestead]

LOL!!

Congrats!

So is the nest up high? The chicks need to be able to get back into it after they start wandering with mama.
The other birds will probably be fine with the chicks, mama might get a few fights tho.
Just keep an eye out, and have that other safe place ready in case of worst case scenario.

Thx!

the whole coop is elevated. The nests themselves are same level as the rest of the coop. I put water out there today just in case they start to get thirty. I'm also stopping for feed this evening.

Final Tally: 4 Australorp RiR cross, 6 EE/RiR cross

 

[aart]

Quote: They should be fine for now....watch when mama takes them out to the run tho, hopefully she shows them how to get back up the ramp.

 

[wannahomestead]

They should be fine for now....watch when mama takes them out to the run tho, hopefully she shows them how to get back up the ramp.

any idea how long before she might do that? Is that a "few days" old thing, or a couple weeks?

 

[aart]

Quote: I have no idea...I think it depends on the hen.
I had trouble with my hen taking them down the ramp and not getting them all back up it again.
They were older 2-3 weeks, but I kept them separated from flock for a week or so because it was middle of winter and very cold.
I ended up taking the portable nest out to the run and leaving it until mama and the chicks were nestled in,
then covered the entrance and carried the whole thing back into the coop.
She didn't take them back out for another 3-4-5 days, meanwhile I put a small ramp near their nest and sprinkled with feed to get them to 'practice'.

 

[snowflake]

any idea how long before she might do that? Is that a "few days" old thing, or a couple weeks?

my hens usually take them out after 3to 5 days, the first couple times she couldn't get them up the ramp so I waited till they were settled under momma for the night then went and scooped them up and into the coop, momma went up quickly might take longer if your ramp is steep

 

[wannahomestead]

Is there a good way for me to track my lineage with these chicks? I'm not trying to get into being a hardcore breeder, but I want to learn some about breeding, to try and keep track of who's who.

 

[aart]

Is there a good way for me to track my lineage with these chicks? I'm not trying to get into being a hardcore breeder, but I want to learn some about breeding, to try and keep track of who's who.

I use zipties and a spreadsheet to keep notes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/leg-banding-with-zipties