I try not to let my hens brood eggs near each other. All to often they started competing for chicks and eggs got damaged. Consider using a divider between the hens-low enough so the hens can see each other and both nests of eggs should they get off the nest for a break, but high enough to keep chicks and egg on one side or the other.Touching base after not being on this thread for awhile....(double post with Broody Thread)
to my broody friends,
I finally have a co-brooding situation...the two Cochin sisters are on day 18 of 5 eggs which they have shared fairly equally.
4 of these will be Barnevelder roo over Gold Star hen (who lays a lovely terra cotta egg) and should be nice red laced utility layers...with I'm hoping a lovely deeper red egg (Barnie with the GS' color)
The other egg is a test run on my Splash Marans girl with Barnie roo...it should be a blue laced dark layer (if hen). This Splash Marans does not lay a deep color like she was supposed to (parents 7 on the scale), but it is a pretty deep red egg...hoping with Barnie genes to create another possible road for a deep cordovan brown/red egg
Hatch day, if all goes well, is Wednesday March 9th...and all looked to be developed last candling at day 16.
I think these Cochin girls will be nice about co-brooding chicks...we'll see. Cochins are pretty easy going and brooding so close together they most likely will co-parent well. My serama often co-parent when their chicks are of a similar age; usually they are not brooding eggs close either. I'll also see how well this little banty flock functions with the new chicks.
The Silkie's latest baby (Barnie/Cal grey backyard black sex link) is almost a strapping teen at 10 weeks of age...doing very nicely. Silkie raised 2 babies (lost one earlier on due to ???) with the Cochins aunties nicely, so I have every expectation that the Cochin mommas will do well with Auntie Silkie and "sibling" BSL in pen too.
Countdown approaching
LofMc
Touching base after not being on this thread for awhile....(double post with Broody Thread)
to my broody friends,
I finally have a co-brooding situation...the two Cochin sisters are on day 18 of 5 eggs which they have shared fairly equally.
4 of these will be Barnevelder roo over Gold Star hen (who lays a lovely terra cotta egg) and should be nice red laced utility layers...with I'm hoping a lovely deeper red egg (Barnie with the GS' color)
The other egg is a test run on my Splash Marans girl with Barnie roo...it should be a blue laced dark layer (if hen). This Splash Marans does not lay a deep color like she was supposed to (parents 7 on the scale), but it is a pretty deep red egg...hoping with Barnie genes to create another possible road for a deep cordovan brown/red egg
Hatch day, if all goes well, is Wednesday March 9th...and all looked to be developed last candling at day 16.
I think these Cochin girls will be nice about co-brooding chicks...we'll see. I'll also see how well this little banty flock functions with the new chicks.
The Silkie's latest baby (Barnie/Cal grey backyard black sex link) is almost a strapping teen at 10 weeks of age...doing very nicely. Silkie raised 2 babies (lost one earlier on due to ???) with the Cochins aunties nicely, so I have every expectation that the Cochin mommas will do well with Auntie Silkie and "sibling" BSL in pen too.
Countdown approaching
LofMc
good news! I did she her nosing around investigating just before the break. Must've figured out her babies were on the way
