Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[babyfoot]

so sorry to hear about the poor chooks

 

[Wrightsx4]

Aww - sorry about Ray and Fritz. I hope Fritz is out there hiding. I have seen a lot of hawks up here too, more in the last three weeks. I suspect that may be what actually killed my red orpington girl a few weeks ago since she was the only one - and I can't imagine a raccoon not killing more before climbing out of the pen. No tracks found either.
Ben, maybe Rosie's getting ready for those coronation eggs? Lol - it's hard to trust a new broody when you have a faithful incubator. When I gave Betty those fav eggs I was tempted to stick them in the incubator instead. She did an amazing job though and the best part - she raised them within the flock (after I removed the broody fence) and protected them so there wasn't any problems mixing ages. Funny at the time since I had yellow fuzzballs running around freely and eating amongst the adults yet my 9wk older chicks were still segregated.
Have a great trip, Ben & Alicia!

 

[Bens-Hens]

We talked this afternoon about maybe giving Rosie a couple of eggs, I would love to let her do the hard work, even if it was just with a couple/few of the eggs, then we incubate the others as a back up,

BUT

We really want this to work, and they are coming from a long way away which I think might be more important in the big picture.

Undecided, not even sure if she will go broody yet, just seems like an early sign to me.

If we were to give her some, how many eggs would someone give to a broody to cover for her first time?

 

[Wrightsx4]

We gave 7 to Betty because only 7 survived the postal system. She happily hatched all 7. I think she could've easily covered a few more.

 

[CB and CG]

Hi Ben, Broody central at our place at the moment!
I like to give first time broody hens about 5 eggs as they can be quite clumsy. If you do decide to set eggs under your broody make sure you giver her a LARGE box. Make sure there is enough room for the hen to walk right around the eggs in the middle of the nest. This is very important especially for large hens. My largest Australorp hen (4kg+) is a brooding machine however she is very clumsy but is a great mother. I strongly believe that box size is key with first time mums as they can accidentaly squish hatching chicks.
I personally would give your hen a few eggs. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a mother hen fuss over her babies.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks guys!

We would love to see her do the natural thing, but are concerned it could all go wrong and we loose them. I like the sound of about 5 as if something happened there was less chance of her just having one chick by the end.

I started a thread posing the question to the forum audience, but very glad you guys have helped out knowing our flock.

I have a enclosed cat litter box I could move into the run so that the bigger nest boxes are not tied up for 3 weeks.

I hope she does go broody after all this fuss now hahaha

 

[CB and CG]

Forgot to mention,
In order to keep the chicks safe I personally feel that your broody and chicks need to have their own separate housing away from other hens. Looks like extensions may be in order

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hmmmm, I do have the A frame coop which I have a removable floor for which would be perfect, but I was hoping to get the chicks in there during the day soon, certainly before they were 4 weeks old.

Maybe I can modify the rooster box into a mega nest with a bird net extension off one of the doors. Might be easiest that way. Then I can separate feed her grower feed while she is not laying.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Well I'm off to the post office in the morning to get the express satchel so Rosie 's still got a few days to get sorted. My coro is bunkered down in the corner of the pony shelter and with the others going in behind her and laying their eggs , she is squishing the hatching chicks , while trying to defend her ground. Good omen, the girls first ponies name is Rosie.

 

[ozexpat]

Hmmmm, I do have the A frame coop which I have a removable floor for which would be perfect, but I was hoping to get the chicks in there during the day soon, certainly before they were 4 weeks old.

Maybe I can modify the rooster box into a mega nest with a bird net extension off one of the doors. Might be easiest that way. Then I can separate feed her grower feed while she is not laying.

or just put her in your bedroom...................