Minnesota!

[MinnesotaNice]

As long as you're not quarantining them and you'll be home tomorrow, I would just put them on a roost next to the other ones and go out early and see what happens. I wouldn't recommend this with just 1 or 2 hens but with 6 I think there might be too many for any one in particular to get picked on. I don't know for sure if that will work but I think that's what I would do.

The chicks from the eggs I hatched will be ready to go into the coop in a few more weeks. I'm hoping to have at least 5-6 hens and one lucky Roo. I was thinking of doing this same thing in hopes that there would be too many to get picked on.

I have one hen that I added a few months ago and she still stays away from the group. I'm hoping they'll pay less attention to her with the new additions as well.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I didn't realize that Cochins are a broody breed.

What I'm wondering is if I should separate her from the flock. She is one of two bantys and has leaned to keep on the sidelines. She doesn't get picked on like the SF but have witnessed larger roosters attempt to mate with her. If the eggs are fertile ... All bets are off.

They are amongst the BROODIEST of breeds. How did you miss that? LOL I had 8 in the Cochin pen broody all at once last summer, and they stayed that way for weeks!
Between those and Silkies, if I wanted to hatch all summer long, all I would have to do is start tossing eggs under them.
There is nothing wrong with a roost mating with the bantams as long as he isn't injuring them. You have to watch. I find the bantams are okay in a large group if they are free ranging and you have multiple bantams, but if penning, I keep them separated.
I really have to laugh about this, I swear we have had discussions on the broodiness of Cochins and Silkies on here a few times. Live and learn, I guess.

 

[lalaland]

I know with younger hens, in my experience, they will get picked on even if in a group if they are not the same size roughly as the current flock. For those, I do the side by side method for a while - partitioning off part of the coop with chicken wire.

If the hens I get to pick up today were still pullets I would probably do the side by side thing. PITA, but...

Minnesotanice, let us know what you end up doing and how it goes! Can your current flock see the chicks now?

 

[MinnesotaNice]

I know with younger hens, in my experience, they will get picked on even if in a group if they are not the same size roughly as the current flock. For those, I do the side by side method for a while - partitioning off part of the coop with chicken wire.

If the hens I get to pick up today were still pullets I would probably do the side by side thing. PITA, but...

Minnesotanice, let us know what you end up doing and how it goes! Can your current flock see the chicks now?

They can't see one another - right now they're in the heated garage living the good life! It's like Mexico in there. This is my first time having Copper Marans and they grow like weeds. I can't believe it. Most of my hens are a bit smaller, so when the chicks are more feathered, I don't think the size difference will be significant. You make a great point though - I have the coop space, so I'll section them off for a week or so. I just hope the weather holds out so I don't have to run two heated bowls for water out there.

 

[scandiafowl]

They are amongst the BROODIEST of breeds.  How did you miss that?  LOL  I had 8 in the Cochin pen broody all at once last summer, and they stayed that way for weeks!
Between those and Silkies, if I wanted to hatch all summer long, all I would have to do is start tossing eggs under them.  
There is nothing wrong with a roost mating with the bantams as long as he isn't injuring them.  You have to watch.  I find the bantams are okay in a large group if they are free ranging and you have multiple bantams, but if penning, I keep them separated.  
I really have to laugh about this, I swear we have had discussions on the broodiness of Cochins and Silkies on here a few times.  Live and learn, I guess.

If anything, I'm so glad you had a good laugh. The other banty Cochin hen is on her own unless she decided to join her sister. Bea has five eggs under her and that's what she gets to keep.


One question though, after finding the roundworms in the chicken poo I'm preparing to dewormer this weekend. Any considerations with my broody Bea?

 

[Minniechickmama]

I suggest deworming everyone, even her, and wait to set any eggs. If she is truly broody, which she may just be trying it out or keeping warm, then it is better for her to do her thing without parasites deteriorating her health. She will likely lose weight too during brood, which are all reasons I would discourage brooding at this time, it really is not ideal timing for any of the process unless you are willing and able to keep them all in a climate controlled area. That is just my opinion. I have an actual brooder house, insulated and designed for raising chicks in winter. If I didn't, no way would I even think about it now.

 

[lalaland]

oh good point about worming now and not letting her brood while she is wormy. I was shocked by how much weight a broody can lose, they really do cut down on eating.

I think it is because they only do that broody poop once or so a day, and so can't eat normally because they no longer will poop every few minutes!

 

[NathanZee]

This snow certainly is nice! I took out the flock this morning and with the 50 mph gusts of wind, they just opened their wings and flew to the garden to eat frostbitten plants! Even the fattest ducks can fly in the wind!

 

[scandiafowl]

There is not one bit of snow by the airport.

Do chickens make good kites?

 

[Minniechickmama]

This snow certainly is nice! I took out the flock this morning and with the 50 mph gusts of wind, they just opened their wings and flew to the garden to eat frostbitten plants! Even the fattest ducks can fly in the wind!

Well, aren't you just a ball of sunshine on a snowy day? LMBO! Seeing the silver lining on the gray clouds while the county blows away in a gust. LOL I hate this wind, but I am glad you see a positive with it today. The only think I like about a windy day is if it is when I need the ground to dry out or the grass so I can work in the yard and garden.