NY chicken lover!!!!

[Tab's chicken obsession]

I would try a broody pen for them. Will you have incubator space in a couple weeks? When the eggs start hatching in a couple weeks and the hen gets off the nest with the first babies you could finish the eggs left behind in the incubator.

 

[boskelli1571]

Well this will teach me not to go away. Just got back from being away for just over a week. I tried to make things as simple as possible for my pet sitter, but I came home to all the feeders empty, ravenous chickens & geese, and since she didn't pull any eggs, 6 newly broody chickens trying to hatch close to 100 eggs. It looks like everyone out there is ok, but not sure what to do with this mess. One nest had close to 40 eggs with 3 hens trying together to stretch their little bodies over the pile. I went out and pulled all the eggs that didn't appear to have much if any development, but am having a hard time pulling the ones that clearly have veining and visible embryos. I usually try to avoid using broodies because of the chaos it adds, so none of these broodies are proven. Also, upon candling, most eggs appear to to be developing on one side of the shell. Is this normal for broody eggs? Or are my girls struggling to keep up with their massive turning chores?

Any suggestions on what to do with my mess? If I leave the broodies where they are, the nonbroody hens will keep trying to add to the piles of eggs. Is it worth moving them all to a broody pen? Or is it best for all involved to toss all eggs? These eggs are not all on the same day development-wise, so who knows what will happen when they start hatching. Unfortunately I do not have incubator space available at this time.

How was vacation? The Breda girls are coming along nicely, they are out of 'solitary' on Friday! Sorry u had such a mess to come home to, if I lived a bit nearer, I would volunteer for chicken- sitting duties

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I would try a broody pen for them. Will you have incubator space in a couple weeks? When the eggs start hatching in a couple weeks and the hen gets off the nest with the first babies you could finish the eggs left behind in the incubator.

I will try this. Its probably the best option. and moving the broodies to their own pen will certainly reduce their chaos. I hadn't thought of pulling eggs & moving them to a bator at hatch, but should be able to make that happen. Thanks!!

 

[PhoredaBurds]

How was vacation?  The Breda girls are coming along nicely, they are out of 'solitary' on Friday! Sorry u had such a mess to come home to, if I lived a bit nearer, I would volunteer for chicken- sitting duties

France was amazing. It's very rare that we go away like that, so every bit was appreciated. Thanks for the suggestion to bring an extra sweater. It got worn quite a bit.

Glad the Breda girls are doing well. I'm sure they'll let you know how much they appreciate any handouts u may have for them.

I shouldn't complain about coming home to a mess. Everyone is alive & accounted for, that's the important thing. I just wasn't expecting to come home to 100 eggs under 6 broodies, lol.

 

[akaruby]

I will try this. Its probably the best option. and moving the broodies to their own pen will certainly reduce their chaos. I hadn't thought of pulling eggs & moving them to a bator at hatch, but should be able to make that happen. Thanks!!

It's normal for eggs to look like they're developing on one side when they aren't in a turner sitting on end. When I first saw it with my first broody I went on here and asked the same question! The eggs will all fill out.

France sounds great to visit! My sister spent a summer there living with a family for school, she came back and kept wanting to speak French.

The two Merleraults are still doing great! They have their little chick friends with them still. One likes to cuddle with the babies and one perches on top watching out.

 

[rancher hicks]

France was amazing. It's very rare that we go away like that, so every bit was appreciated. Thanks for the suggestion to bring an extra sweater. It got worn quite a bit.

Glad the Breda girls are doing well. I'm sure they'll let you know how much they appreciate any handouts u may have for them.

I shouldn't complain about coming home to a mess. Everyone is alive & accounted for, that's the important thing. I just wasn't expecting to come home to 100 eggs under 6 broodies, lol.

EXCUSE ME? The heck you shouldn't. I'd be on the horn to whoever was supposed to take care of your birds and let them have it!! What if someone complained and came and took all your birds? The authorities would have a field day. They didn't have to agree to take care of your birds if they didn't want to! What you came home to was an animal abuse case. Family or friend they would be on my crap list for a long, long time. Friend ? They'd be an EX friend.

Now concerning those eggs. I would set the broodies up, if you can and give them fresh eggs. I'd toss all the others unless you've got incubation space or parcel them out with friends. Not the one who left you with this mess.

TO: Everyone else,

For those who may need to go away I suggest.

Stocking up on feed so they don't have to buy it. I like to fill all these cat litter jugs before hand. If you don't have some start saving and washing them out now. I wash them and leave them in the sun to air out a few days. This is an old pic but you get the idea. I do leave bags of feed in case they need to fill some. Generally there is a lot of feed in the garage. 3-4 hundred pounds is need be.



For water, I have a hose run out to near the coops. Waterers are tubs not those red waterers which are a pain to fill and keep clean. I make sure there are lots of them so the birds won't run out of water if they're filled. I also use more than one feeder with instructions keep them in feed. No scratch unless they want to give it to them. Just FOOD and WATER. Just keep them alive is all I ask.

Egg's they can take and give away or sell. No need to save them for me.

Coops, are all cleaned before I leave.

Last year we went to TX for six weeks and DD took care of the birds. She did lose two but I let it pass, because she was freaking out. Spring and summer can be tough.

I hope some of what I've said helps and no one is upset with my attitude about Phores situation. Seems to me these days folks just are too lenient and it's why we have so many problems.

Heck even DW who is not an animal person took care of my chickens for me while I was in AL for five weeks. Gotta love a woman like that.

I wish everyone well,

Rancher

 

[Metella]

Glad you had fun !

For people connected to their land - going for longer than a weekend is hard ! No one cares for our plants and animals like we do - even if technically they do it better ! ha ha But she was a little lax on the upkeep so I wouldn't hire her again - but you are right - everyone alive and uninjured - so that is a win

If you move the broodies - that may just break them ... so just know that is a risk. Every broody I moved I broke and the eggs had to be tossed.

Just sold a doz Spiz eggs to a girl doing 4H - gave her extra so she would get a really great hatch - The happy look on her face to have a "special looking" chicken was great So glad I finally jumped in with the Silver Spitz ... Thanks Phoredaburds !!!

 

[cutipatooti]

Well this will teach me not to go away. Just got back from being away for just over a week. I tried to make things as simple as possible for my pet sitter, but I came home to all the feeders empty, ravenous chickens & geese, and since she didn't pull any eggs, 6 newly broody chickens trying to hatch close to 100 eggs. It looks like everyone out there is ok, but not sure what to do with this mess. One nest had close to 40 eggs with 3 hens trying together to stretch their little bodies over the pile. I went out and pulled all the eggs that didn't appear to have much if any development, but am having a hard time pulling the ones that clearly have veining and visible embryos. I usually try to avoid using broodies because of the chaos it adds, so none of these broodies are proven. Also, upon candling, most eggs appear to to be developing on one side of the shell. Is this normal for broody eggs? Or are my girls struggling to keep up with their massive turning chores?

Any suggestions on what to do with my mess? If I leave the broodies where they are, the nonbroody hens will keep trying to add to the piles of eggs. Is it worth moving them all to a broody pen? Or is it best for all involved to toss all eggs? These eggs are not all on the same day development-wise, so who knows what will happen when they start hatching. Unfortunately I do not have incubator space available at this time.

Glad to hear you had a great vacation! Sorry to hear you came home to a mess, but like you said at least all are alive and well. I agree with the seperate on of the Broodies to make it easier. If they break and you have to toss don't feel bad it's all you could do. If I was closer I could try to put some in my bators as they are emptying.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I'm not going to bore yall with 39 pictures of eggs but !!!

here is one!!! Woohooo!!!! They ARE Doing good.

 

[ashleymroles]

Anyone keep bees for honey? I'm just starting to get into it and I'm looking for a mentor.