Natural breeding thread

[TOMTE]

Well, I'll leave everything as it is then, and I'll let you know the hatch rate in 20 days! The filthier eggs are 20% covered in yolk, which isn't too bad. I have the feeling that the hen will eventually clean the eggs herself by rubbing against them and turning them. I'll let you know how it goes.
The only time I had filthy eggs was when another broody ate one of her own eggs, but it happened at day 16th (blood and fluff everywhere) so very close to hatching day. I had 70% hatch rate that time.

I'm interested to know the hatch rate without cleaning them, and how mama hen deals with the mess

 

[BDutch]

Well, I'll leave everything as it is then, and I'll let you know the hatch rate in 20 days! The filthier eggs are 20% covered in yolk, which isn't too bad. I have the feeling that the hen will eventually clean the eggs herself by rubbing against them and turning them. I'll let you know how it goes.
The only time I had filthy eggs was when another broody ate one of her own eggs, but it happened at day 16th (blood and fluff everywhere) so very close to hatching day. I had 70% hatch rate that time.

I don’t have any experience with egg yolk on hatchery eggs. Only eggs that were filthy with poop. Surprisingly I had a rather good outcome with the poopy eggs. I just wiped them with a lightly humid cloth to get the worst of.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Thanks for everyone's support. Mama & chick are doing great, they are in their own space and seemingly very good. There is still an egg from 4/22 under the other broody, I let her keep it versus give back to mom #1. Not sure how that one will go but the first one is good and things seem peaceful. Here are some pics. Thanks! Will never do a staggered hatch again!

 

[fluffycrow]

Thanks for everyone's support. Mama & chick are doing great, they are in their own space and seemingly very good. There is still an egg from 4/22 under the other broody, I let her keep it versus give back to mom #1. Not sure how that one will go but the first one is good and things seem peaceful. Here are some pics. Thanks! Will never do a staggered hatch again!

Congratulations!

Mum is absolutely gorgeous, and the chick is so cute! Best of luck to broody 2 as well.

 

[fluffycrow]

Starting yesterday, all nests not regularly used by the Tsouloufati group have 6 bantam eggs each, in hopes of encouraging at least one of the hens to nest, and brood. Nests made by the hens themselves will also be encouraged. This is to avoid last year’s problems, when Galadriel brooded on the favourite nest, creating all sorts of problems for her throughout her brooding journey.

There *should* be four hens capable of going broody, Galadriel being one of them. The other three are all her biological daughters, hatched and raised artificially. That does make me doubt if they’ll want to sit, coupled with the fact that they are 50% Tsouloufati, none of which have ever gone broody.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Here is our update:
Mom & chick are doing good, although mom still sits alot as if there is an egg she is sitting on. Is that normal? The two of them go out for a quick snack and drink and then typically go back to their box to sit/sleep. They are in their own enclosure still but Rooster dad snuck in yesterday and they were all harmonious.

Egg 4/22 is still under the other broody. It was supposed to hatch yesterday but nothing happened. How long do we wait until we give it a little egg burial? I found her sitting on other eggs in the coop so egg 4/22 was sometimes left alone/cold. It is warm here now though so that may not be an issue.

 

[BDutch]

If the mama leaves the nest for more than 2 hours, and the temp is lower than 30°C , the egg is probably death.

Surely the mother leaves the nest if she has no hope or chooses for the chick to survive.

Is there still a reason to separate if the rooster is a caring dad?

 

[fluffycrow]

Here is our update:
Mom & chick are doing good, although mom still sits alot as if there is an egg she is sitting on. Is that normal? The two of them go out for a quick snack and drink and then typically go back to their box to sit/sleep. They are in their own enclosure still but Rooster dad snuck in yesterday and they were all harmonious.

Egg 4/22 is still under the other broody. It was supposed to hatch yesterday but nothing happened. How long do we wait until we give it a little egg burial? I found her sitting on other eggs in the coop so egg 4/22 was sometimes left alone/cold. It is warm here now though so that may not be an issue.

Agreed with BDutch, the 4/22 might not make it. I’d give it a few more days, maybe even candling it once before burring.

I’ve had one mum being really stuck on the brooding part of motherhood. She was totally over it by day 5. She was in a rather small maternity pen, so that could have been a result of her behaviour. I’ve read that some silkie hens have an issue with it as well, but I have no experience there.

X2 on the rooster. I bet he’s excited to imprint on the newest generation