MJ's little flock

[ManueB]

Well, after another day of absence from home, I'm delighted to see another fresh broody poop. It's good to know she's getting up and doing her self-care.
Welsummer eggs tonight!

Scrutinizing poop is one of those unbelievable things keeping chickens will teach you .
I think a day difference in hatching is not a problem for the broody, but I guess for her human it's more confortable / reassuring to have a set date at which all eggs are supposed to hatch !

Fond memory - chipie's hatch 13 June 2022 a week old.
It took about two weeks for the size difference to really show between Merle, and Léa and Gaston. Since Piou-piou was a runt she was also tiny.

 

[MaryJanet]

Good luck.

My experience: Bantam eggs take 19 -20 (Dutch) or 20-21 (larger bantam eggs) days on average.
But even if you keep that in mind and mark the eggs, you can get a staggered hatch if eggs were not equally covered for a certain period.

That's good to know, thanks!

 

[MaryJanet]

Scrutinizing poop is one of those unbelievable things keeping chickens will teach you .

I like to imagine someone saying, "What are you doing???" and I say "Oh, just looking at poops. That's a good one. Very reassuring."

I think a day difference in hatching is not a problem for the broody, but I guess for her human it's more confortable / reassuring to have a set date at which all eggs are supposed to hatch !

That's the thing! A shorter list of things to worry about is a good thing.

Fond memory - chipie's hatch 13 June 2022 a week old.
It took about two weeks for the size difference to really show between Merle, and Léa and Gaston. Since Piou-piou was a runt she was also tiny.
View attachment 3966171

awww sweet little darlings!

 

[MaryJanet]

Well, Mary's covering her Welsummer eggs. I haven't taken the fakes out yet but I will do so first chance I get.

 

[BDutch]

I think a day difference in hatching is not a problem for the broody, but I guess for her human it's more confortable / reassuring to have a set date at which all eggs are supposed to hatch !

Yes, right. My broodies wait at least two days after the first chick hatched before they leave the nest to go out to eat and drink with the chicks. Bc the older chicks have access to chick feed and water upstairs there is an extra day to hatch.

Most hatches the momma(s) and chicks stayed about 3 days upstairs in the small coop. As soon as they went downstairs to search for little insects (scratching) the eggs are definitely abandoned.

I made an easier ramp over the steep one for the chicks. The chicks all go down easily. And I watch if they can go up again around sunset when the mamma(s) go back to the nest-box.
I did help a few times. 5 days after hatch they all figured out how it works.

Having two broodies on one nest doesn’t mean one stays on the nest to hatch longer while the other goes downstairs. My experience: The broodies always go downstairs together.

 

[LozzyR]

Well, Mary's covering her Welsummer eggs. I haven't taken the fakes out yet but I will do so first chance I get.

I am living vicariously through you.

 

[MaryJanet]

I am living vicariously through you.

I really hope they hatch out ok Lozzy

 

[MaryJanet]

It seems Ivy wants to be broody too. If Mary gives up on the eggs, maybe Ivy will take over.

 

[MaryJanet]

45 seconds of cuteness

Seriously, the hens' behaviour towards Mary has changed. All four have shown interest in her.

 

[BDutch]

It seems Ivy wants to be broody too. If Mary gives up on the eggs, maybe Ivy will take over.

Co-brooding?

Seriously, the hens' behaviour towards Mary has changed. All four have shown interest in her.

This video makes me curious. What would happen if you open the door of the broody-coop? Maybe you don’t need to lock Mary up the whole time? It’s certainly good for Mary’s health if she can stretch her legs, gets a little sunlight and can take a dustbath once a day.

But be sure the other hens don't lay more eggs in the nest or make a fuzz. The chance of a good outcome is better with a broody left in peace.