so far we've only had to send one to the freezer for meaness, but we have 3 from this years hatch yet to do, not because of meaness but because we have 3 too many.
Slurrywidow, any news? My first 2 were a day early, so I thought I'd ask.
Miz Mary--My first try was a fialure so I found day olds to buy. A week or two in 2 of four died. I think it made me more zen this time around. I am sorry for your loss
, but you should be very proud that you have given excellent care to be so lucky up to this point.
All four hatched!
I'm most excited about the one layed by this mama...it has the coloring of a chick that will grow to be barred and her feather lags too. I really hope it has her personallity--she is in the top 1/2 of the pecking order, but will go on her own and very methodically search the whole yard for yummies, plus she was a MUCH better incubator than my other cochin. So far everyone is doing well. This mama has stepped on one twice though
So if I coax them out, I've been lifting her back in first them putting the babies next to her. I WILL have pics, promise.
Last night Fluffy Britches took the new chicks to first broody, Wiggens' nest. At bed time Fluffy Britches, her four peeps, Wiggens, her two 7 week chicks, and my white silky were all crammed in one corner to the coop! At least they were warm
My broody is being very temperamental. Saturday, I built some very nice steps to her nestbox in anticipation for the chicks so that they would be able to get in and out of it. Here's a pic.
She was nesting in the 2nd from left. She sat there all day and all night, but on Sunday morning, she had gotten off the nest to eat and then wouldn't go back to her eggs. They weren't really very warm when I checked on them, so I took them inside and put them in the bator. I gave her a fake egg to see if she would go back. Instead, she opted to sit in the nest next door. See her in the pic to the right? She refuses to go back to that nest. I gave her one of her eggs back that I candled to be clear, in case she doesn't stick to it (I don't want her to break broody so she can raise them with the flock) Her one egg that is due to hatch this coming weekend was one of those that wasn't warm, no movement. After about 2 hrs in bator to warm up, I candled again, and he/she was moving around in there! Yeah! Momma boodies can be sooooo frustrating!