MJ's little flock

[Shadrach]

Got it. Within 10cm?

It needs to be shallow enough for a chick to be able to stand in it when there is water in it, so 2cm is the maximum inside depth.

 

[BY Bob]

I tell you what, her attitude has changed markedly now she has eggs.

Way, way more defensive. Way more committed. Very flat on the eggs.

I put a little bowl of food within reach over night and it appears she's eaten about a tablespoon of it without getting up.

Excellent. That's very good.

 

[MaryJanet]

It needs to be shallow enough for a chick to be able to stand in it when there is water in it, so 2cm is the maximum inside depth.

Sorry, I meant within 10cm of the nest.

 

[MaryJanet]

Excellent. That's very good.

It was surprising how her attitude changed.

I know one observation isn't remotely convincing, but there's big difference between a broody Peggy and a setting Peggy.

 

[MaryJanet]

Amprolium. You must have it on hand.
A head torch. If anything goes wrong you need to be able to see in any light conditions.
Are you going to give medicated feed? I always did because coccidia was an issue in Spain. Many don't and it's fine.
I used clay bowls much like the ones you can buy patte in. Water dispensers are okay but I like to see the chicks are drinking. I use one for the chick feed and one for water. The advantage of the clay shallow pots is they are not easy to tip over. There is a picture of what I use here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/post-20295718

Fresh bedding to replace the old as soon as mum leaves the nest with the chicks.

There is an unpleasant topic that I hope with all my heart you don't have to deal with but it happens. What are you going to do if a damaged chick hatches and you need to kill it? You need to be prepared for this.

I've placed an order for medicated chick starter and fresh bedding, but they don't stock amprolium.

I'll get myself a head torch from the fishing and camping store, and I'll call Mark to get some amprolium.

I'll take a look at the terracotta dishes this evening during chickening time and see which have the smallest diameter. If they seem suitable, I'll sterilise them.

 

[MaryJanet]

I met Rocky an hour ago and he's a gorgeous big black Australorp. His hens are a light sussex and two little red hybrid laying hens. He called out just as I was leaving, so I turned and waved goodbye to him

One extra egg for Peggy today and we'll add one more tomorrow. I dated today's and I'll date tomorrow's too so I'll know which ones are which.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I am excited for all three plans!
My chicken garden plans got a bit disrupted so I am starting over.

Ooooh, do share!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

And now Peggy's got eggs in the little coop, I wouldn't want to relocate it.

From other people's experience I think it is a good call not moving her.

(At first I didn't notice that you had changed your avatar again and was wondering who this person was, thinking I'd missed something!)

 

[RoyalChick]

Ooooh, do share!

that is the encouragement I need to start figuring it out!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Thank you! I'll get all that stuff ready.

The thought of a deformed chick or failed hatch is very much on my mind. Luckily, the neighbour up the street has had to deal with such events in the past and I'm hoping he will step in for me, but I haven't asked him yet. I'm loaning him my chainsaw this weekend, so I'll bring the topic up at that time.

So glad that you have experienced back up near by.