Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[AnneInTheBurbs]

All of a sudden my Rooster is being nasty to they broody turkey hen. I think he is frustrated from being stuck in the coop for a few days. Hopefully with the snow melting, he will chill out. I also see the difference from him not having more ladies to love on. I will definitely be keeping more laying hens in the future.

 

[Suzanne Dunn]

I am just picking up my 3 babies on Tuesday. I am brand new to everything chicken!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I am just picking up my 3 babies on Tuesday. I am brand new to everything chicken!

That's so exciting! Do you have coop ready yet? Because if you don't you should build it bigger than you think you will need. Heed my words: You will want more chickens!

 

[fisherlady]

Welcome! Upper bucks here.
Agree, if this is his basement set up, it is impressive! And I saw it a couple years ago!
Great catch! Glad to see those little cuties! I can't wait for mine. I was glad to have the incubator, but I definitely prefer the broody method! Although having said that, I am putting aside fertile turkey eggs for hatching later this week...
How long do you wait before you sell them? Do you sell the baby chicks straight from the Mama? Or do you let her grow them out a bit?

They don't get sold until mama cuts the apron strings.

 

[AnRamire]

I am just picking up my 3 babies on Tuesday. I am brand new to everything chicken!

WARNING it can become very addictive

 

[BullChick]

All of a sudden my Rooster is being nasty to they broody turkey hen. I think he is frustrated from being stuck in the coop for a few days. Hopefully with the snow melting, he will chill out. I also see the difference from him not having more ladies to love on. I will definitely be keeping more laying hens in the future.

Good plan!

I am just picking up my 3 babies on Tuesday. I am brand new to everything chicken!

You are in for an adventure!

WARNING it can become very addictive

Shhhh! Don't tell until she reaches 64 birds!

 

[BullChick]

@Chicken Egg 17Most adult male ducks have what is called a "drake feather". A single feather on their butt ends that curls up. Females just have all straight tail feathers.

 

[dheltzel]

I can only imagine!

You must come for a visit sometime. I think your DH might veto that because he would be afraid of what you would bring back with you. . . .
Though really, you have some of the nicest and rarest of my breeds, you might not find anything you want that you don't already have.

 

[dheltzel]

Broody update, Brownie was the happy recipient of 9 beautiful Lavender Americauna chicks which we had picked up from @Auroradream26 yesterday. We gave them to her 2 at a time yesterday through the evening, ending with a group of 3. She transitioned to mama mode overnight and this morning we moved her from the box she had set in for the past 3 weeks to the broody hut in our people area of the hut. The chicks took to her right away and are already exploring a bit in their new area. Looks like it was meant to be.
Mindy knew there were chicks under there...she was determined to be the first to see them! LOL

Now that is cute. I am always amazed by Mindy. I wonder if these chicks, raised by a broody, will have a greater tendency to go broody? I've only ever had one Am go broody, and she was only into it for a week, then decided motherhood was not for her.

The other theory is that it is not nature or nurture, but something in the water at your place.

 

[dheltzel]

Butcher the boys and sell the girls...and usually keep hatches smaller now. Brownie having 9 is by far the biggest brood since last summer.
We try to set the hens in pairs, and with enough to split the hatch between hens if anything goes wrong. I have a friend who is always looking for laying hens too...

I predict the Lavender Ams will find a permanent spot there. The roos are impressive, but friendly, and the pullets are mellow and calm. I've no doubt they will go broody for you too.