***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

@Ryan Swetz I don't think they do. We have big red ants with a bad bite. The birds leave them alone. A non poison way to deal with them is to scatter dry corn grits on the hill. The ants eat them and the grits swell up inside killing the ant. Will not kill out the whole mound but will make a dent. Hopefully it kills the queen.

 

[dunnmom]

I've been really working on my husband to change his mind about letting a hen set eggs. We have 2 adorable tiny coops that he had built and is having trouble selling. I said, "You know, these might make great broody coops, we should try one out next time we get a hen that wants to set. If it works well, maybe you could use it as a selling point." Lol! I know, I'm terrible. But he didn't say no. Maybe I'm wearing him down. The one I want to use is predator proof, has a small floored run, and is on locking rollers. The coop part is elevated by about 18 in., and is about 18X24 in. inside. He hasn't installed an exterior nest box or roost in it yet, but I doubt we'd need one if it's used for brooding. It might need a lip at the entry to prevent eggs from rolling out, but does that sound big enough for a broody's nest?

 

[CLSranch]

I've been really working on my husband to change his mind about letting a hen set eggs. We have 2 adorable tiny coops that he had built and is having trouble selling. I said, "You know, these might make great broody coops, we should try one out next time we get a hen that wants to set. If it works well, maybe you could use it as a selling point." Lol! I know, I'm terrible. But he didn't say no. Maybe I'm wearing him down. The one I want to use is predator proof, has a small floored run, and is on locking rollers. The coop part is elevated by about 18 in., and is about 18X24 in. inside. He hasn't installed an exterior nest box or roost in it yet, but I doubt we'd need one if it's used for brooding. It might need a lip at the entry to prevent eggs from rolling out, but does that sound big enough for a broody's nest?

That's more than big enough. Make sure the ramp is kinda long (for less angle) so the chicks can get back in a little easier. I have a free range hen that jumps into the top nesting box at night and had a 3 day old chick follow her. I don't know how.

 

[dunnmom]

That's more than big enough. Make sure the ramp is kinda long (for less angle) so the chicks can get back in a little easier. I have a free range hen that jumps into the top nesting box at night and had a 3 day old chick follow her. I don't know how.

Thanks! I was wondering about the ramp thing, too. I noticed most pictures of broody boxes show them at ground level.

 

[CLSranch]

Most are on the ground but I wouldn't worry about 18" up with a ramp.

 

[dunnmom]

Most are on the ground but I wouldn't worry about 18" up with a ramp.

That's good, because I may have another broody already. My hen Melina has been acting a little strange. She's been losing feathers, and one day I caught her eating the insides of a broken egg, although I haven't seen her do it before or since. I figured she was just molting. But, she has been camping out in everyone's choice nest box since about 4 this afternoon. When I went to take eggs out from under her, she flattened out over them just like Honey did, and she puffed up on another hen that got close to her. I'll see if she roosts tonight, and how she acts tomorrow before I decide if she's broody or not. If she is, it might be 4 or 5 days until I get some fertile eggs under her. Should I have her sit on decoys until then?

 

[CLSranch]

Should I have her sit on decoys until then?

You can then switch em out at night after you get the fertile eggs. They can keep adding eggs for 5 days and have them hatch out at the same time unlike an incubator. Unless those eggs aren't fertile. I just leave the eggs that are setting in the box. If the other hens keep laying in that box after it's full then I move her and the eggs. If not she can set them where she is. Lazy but works for me. I may not be home to take care of chicks for a weeks so I let the pro do it.

 

[CLSranch]

News report.....
As of 7:34 a.m on Monday I'm a daddy.
Boy 8lbs 13.6oz
YAY

 

[Karen523]

News report.....
As of 7:34 a.m on Monday I'm a daddy.
Boy 8lbs 13.6oz
YAY

Congratulations!!!

 

[dunnmom]

News report.....
As of 7:34 a.m on Monday I'm a daddy.
Boy 8lbs 13.6oz
YAY

Congratulations! That's wonderful! Sounds like he will outgrow those newborn clothes with a quickness, too. One of my boys was like that. Enjoy cuddling him an give him a squish for all of us.