Natural breeding thread

[BDutch]

I know a lot of people never let their broodies hatch eggs. They rather buy sexed chicks or pullets bc they can’t have a rooster. And don't want to cull cockerels.

For this reason and bc its a great experience to let a broody hatch, I want to share my thoughts.

If I buy hens, I know the males (or most of them) are killed by the brooder/seller anyway. If I give away a cockerel, I know there is a risk he gets killed by the new owner. Whats best from the point of view of the cockerels?

The times I let my broodies hatch fertilised eggs, there was always at least one cockerel. Most of them found a good life elsewhere. Some I wasn't sure about, but I prefer the hassle of rehoming to buying pullets and putting them in quarantine.

Until now I never got stuck with a cockerel I couldn’t keep any longer bc as long as it is winter the neighbours don’t mind if he starts to crow. Twice I could keep a cockerel for offspring before he had to leave.

I would hate it if I ever have to kill a chicken for whatever reason so I did some research to find the best way if I ever need to kill a cockerel or a very poor sick chicken. Using an airtight box and using ether or starting fluid seems the right thing to do for me. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...re-culling-the-injured-and-sick-babies.72140/

 

[Perris]

Great post @BDutch .

But on the culling method, I tried that, and couldn't go through with it; I don't know if they add something as a deterrent or whatever, but the smell is absolutely vile for the handler, never mind the poor bird who fights it of course. I think a very sharp knife into the carotid artery is the quickest, kindest way.

 

[BDutch]

Great post @BDutch .

But on the culling method, I tried that, and couldn't go through with it; I don't know if they add something as a deterrent or whatever, but the smell is absolutely vile for the handler, never mind the poor bird who fights it of course. I think a very sharp knife into the carotid artery is the quickest, kindest way.

This is the first time I hear this. I don’t want to discuss it here. Just very sad you had such a nasty experience. Please make a contribution in the article with the link. That seems the appropriate place to comment imo.

 

[fluffycrow]

We have liftoff, as Perris once said. I found one chick in the process of zipping right in front of mum's wing, hopefully more are pipping under her. Mum and eggs are now blocked off.
Hopefully all will go well, as has been the case so far

 

[Perris]

 

[BDutch]

Good luck @fluffycrow.

 

[Knobby]

After 2 previous attempts, my broody hen Rosie, finally hatched out 2 chicks this morning. I opted to let her sit on 4 eggs 21 days ago, and when I went to tend to the flock this morning, I noticed the 2 extras. I was relieved since Rosie sat on 6 eggs prior, but around the 18th day, her nest got raided. Then she sat on 6 more eggs only for them not to hatch..so after this past batch, she's been sitting on the nest for almost 3 months.

 

[fluffycrow]

After 2 previous attempts, my broody hen Rosie, finally hatched out 2 chicks this morning. I opted to let her sit on 4 eggs 21 days ago, and when I went to tend to the flock this morning, I noticed the 2 extras. I was relieved since Rosie sat on 6 eggs prior, but around the 18th day, her nest got raided. Then she sat on 6 more eggs only for them not to hatch..so after this past batch, she's been sitting on the nest for almost 3 months.

Congratulations on the new little fluff balls!

 

[fluffycrow]

Thanks Perris and BDutch. The chick seems to have died in that zipping position. Not sure what went wrong. All other eggs are under her, but it’s been more quiet than I’m used to. As you can imagine, I’m quite worried. I have one more inspection later today, and then we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

One can’t control anything, but a “victory” here would be nice. It’s been a pretty terrible month

 

[Knobby]

Congratulations on the new little fluff balls!

I actually used an incubator this past spring to hatch out 17 chicks and am planning on doing another batch in a week or 2. Want to time things out so that the chicks have enough time to grow prior to the cold months returning.