OK, I am bringing down my wrath upon all my broodies. Well, not really. BUT I just put three of them in my new BROODY BUSTING cage. A big dog kennel with a wire floor (and surpringly the floor space is perfect for chicken feets to walk on. They're in there with food, water, and are shaded and protected from rain.
The only broody who managed to hatch a single chick just had it killed today, by another broody. I found it in the killer's nest pecked to shreds. My guess is that the momma was taking her baby out for the first time (it hatched a day and a half ago) and it toddled into the angry broody's box. This is NOT the first time that particular hen has killed chicks.
She the killer, and two others got the boot into the busting cage. The one who I know is a great Mom will get a few more eggs to set on, and if the one with the killed chick goes back to being broody, she'll get another shot too.
I hate having 5 out of 7 trying to brood, and even more when broody anger causes chick deaths.
The only broody who managed to hatch a single chick just had it killed today, by another broody. I found it in the killer's nest pecked to shreds. My guess is that the momma was taking her baby out for the first time (it hatched a day and a half ago) and it toddled into the angry broody's box. This is NOT the first time that particular hen has killed chicks.
She the killer, and two others got the boot into the busting cage. The one who I know is a great Mom will get a few more eggs to set on, and if the one with the killed chick goes back to being broody, she'll get another shot too.
I hate having 5 out of 7 trying to brood, and even more when broody anger causes chick deaths.