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[DobieLover]

Wonderful photos @DobieLover

The unplanned hatch.
I wasn't going to allow it this year but there are some serious enablers in the Cafe. It's all their fault!! And Astrid certainly didn't help me with my resolve.

 

[Jmcj]

She should be in a semiprivate area on the floor of the coop. She needs to be able to come and go from her nest as needed.
My broody hens get visited throughout the incubation. I close the door to the area she is in during the hatch to give her privacy and keep the others from disturbing her during that time.
The door stays closed until the chicks are about 2 days old then I open it and mom will allow in whom she trusts and drive out all others.

Eggs laid next to her by visiting hens.
View attachment 2802613
Visits from the senior rooster are daily.View attachment 2802615
He is usually the first to be allowed in to visit the chicks when they hatch.
View attachment 2802616

The junior rooster was also permitted to help feed the chicks.
View attachment 2802618
The mother, Astrid, took her brood out of the coop for the first time at 7 days old.
View attachment 2802620

At 12 days.
View attachment 2802632

This is all very intense! Checked on her this morning and there was only one egg under her with lots of egg shells around her : /. In addition, something dragged away one of our barred rocks during the early morning. Feeling like a failure

 

[Grandmas Coop]