NY chicken lover!!!!

[ChickPrincess]

Lynzi, Sorry about your bunny babies.

The last 2 weeks, I thought Blondie had become broody, but then she snapped out of it. I've been hoping she would, just because I've never experienced it yet.
This afternoon as I collected eggs, she was sitting in the box, and I figured she was just laying a late egg. She was growling at passerbys (me or hens), but she's been doing that often. Later this afternoon she was still sitting and still growling at anything that came close. Then I noticed in the box next door were some of her breast feathers. She must've switched boxes after starting there. Well, tonight she's STILL on the eggs and I tried using a stick to pry her off and she will not budge. I decided to let her be. Whatever happens happens.
Now, my question is, placement of the nest box. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself, but if she does have chicks there, it's too high for babies to be safe. The box is about 3.5 feet off the floor with a 2x4 several inches away from the front. Other than that it's just a straight drop.
Should I let her continue there? Or break her away from that nest box? I was hoping she would go broody if I put a box on the floor. Thoughts from those experienced?

 

[stonykill]

Finished building a coop today. I decided I'm going to use one crate as a "grow out pen" two crates for a duck house and one for a rabbit hutch because the one I have my male bunny in is falling apart. Here'a a pic of the grow out pen. Still needs to be painted.



On a sad note my momma bunny abandoned all her kits and I got home today to find them all dead. So upsetting. I can tell by their markings they would have had some awesome coloring too. :-(

the coop looks great.
Sorry about the bunnies. Bunnies aren't always the greatest moms

 

[stonykill]

Lynzi, Sorry about your bunny babies.

The last 2 weeks, I thought Blondie had become broody, but then she snapped out of it. I've been hoping she would, just because I've never experienced it yet.
This afternoon as I collected eggs, she was sitting in the box, and I figured she was just laying a late egg. She was growling at passerbys (me or hens), but she's been doing that often. Later this afternoon she was still sitting and still growling at anything that came close. Then I noticed in the box next door were some of her breast feathers. She must've switched boxes after starting there. Well, tonight she's STILL on the eggs and I tried using a stick to pry her off and she will not budge. I decided to let her be. Whatever happens happens.
Now, my question is, placement of the nest box. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself, but if she does have chicks there, it's too high for babies to be safe. The box is about 3.5 feet off the floor with a 2x4 several inches away from the front. Other than that it's just a straight drop.
Should I let her continue there? Or break her away from that nest box? I was hoping she would go broody if I put a box on the floor. Thoughts from those experienced?

I have had plenty of broody's at similar heights. As long as you make the nest so the chicks can't fall out it should be fine. More than once I have witnessed a mam calling down lil ones. I think I wrote a little about it here.

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/01/broody-hens-natures-incubators-your.html

 

[rancher hicks]

It all depends on your land too ..If I Remember right Rancher is sort of on wetlands ...I remember a winter ? Spring pond in his yard ..LOL

I'm glad you're amused. It's exactly why I didn't get chickens with feathered feet. Why they called them "boots" is beyond me.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Evening all. Allergies are in full bloom and I am hating all blooming plants right now. Anyways, the tots had a wonderful day outside in their run. One of the sexlinks came by and was trying to peck them and threatning them and the little boys were jumping at her and trying to peck her from inside the run. Even weirder was that both a rir hen and a barred rock hen came over and promptly chastized their sister by pecking and jumping at her to drive her away from the babies. They then just left after driving her off. Must be they didnt like her behavior.

Gave the silkies a trim today. Now everyone can see well and breeding should be better. They also enjoyed the day out. Trimming nails tomorrow.

 

[rancher hicks]

the coop looks great.
Sorry about the bunnies. Bunnies aren't always the greatest moms

Ditto here.

 

[featherz]

I am drowning in broodies! And not giving them any eggs yet. I may give them a wooden egg each. I'm getting more eggs from CB so maybe I'll have chicks to stick under them at some point but ladies!! Give it up! No more chickens!!! =) I think I am up to 8 or so..

Plus.. I have a feather picker. Stayed outside today watching to see if I could spot the culprit but no dice. I have three chickens with no beards at all (bare chin) and one that's got a bare chin and a bare butt. Doubt even the bare butt is rooster related, but I guess it could be. I have two roosters and about 50 girls so my guys have a lot to go around. =) Checked two of the pickees today, don't see any mites/lice so I am *assuming* they are getting picked.. Just read someone say that this often happens at night? Forgot to check in my big coop who was sleeping next to who - but one of the pickees is a potential broody so she was in a nest box.

argh! =)

 

[ChickPrincess]

I have had plenty of broody's at similar heights. As long as you make the nest so the chicks can't fall out it should be fine. More than once I have witnessed a mam calling down lil ones. I think I wrote a little about it here.

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/01/broody-hens-natures-incubators-your.html

Thanks, Stony! I did read your blog a couple weeks ago. Got some great info!
I have 3 or 4 " wood keeping shavings in. How high should it be to keep chicks in? How old are the chicks when mom typically gets them out of the nest?
Will she want to go back to the nest then? Or will she stay with the chicks on the floor?
What's that saying? Oh, yeah... "I'M SO CONFUSED!!!".

 

[County Boy]

Here is my peanut butter guy (along with a gentleman friend lol):



This guy wants to know why a lady is sticking a camera in his face..


Was planning on letting them go outside today but didn't get my fence set up. Have one more run of electric fencing to hook up for the growout coop!

The more I see them the more I want them!!

Will you be keeping any LF boys?

 

[stonykill]

Thanks, Stony! I did read your blog a couple weeks ago. Got some great info!
I have 3 or 4 " wood keeping shavings in. How high should it be to keep chicks in? How old are the chicks when mom typically gets them out of the nest?
Will she want to go back to the nest then? Or will she stay with the chicks on the floor?
What's that saying? Oh, yeah... "I'M SO CONFUSED!!!".

3 to 4 inches high is fine.As long as at least 2 inches is above the shaving height. She will keep them in 36 to 48 hours usually. Sometimes a little longer. IF you can, the 2nd morning after you know the 1st chick hatched try to get mama and the chicks down yourself. Every ONCE in a while I get lucky. Usually mama beats me to it.
She will nest with them on the floor.