Redinator's First Hatch-Along w Bonus Broody: And Everything Thereafter

[redinator]

@kattabelly Something I've wondered about, that you may know the answer to . . .

When a hen stops or decreases laying due to age, if they've been broody while they were younger, do the stop going broody as well?

 

[kattabelly]

@kattabelly Something I've wondered about, that you may know the answer to . . .

When a hen stops or decreases laying due to age, if they've been broody while they were younger, do the stop going broody as well?

Some hens might but not necessarily.

A breeder I know recently had an elderly hen, who only lays a few eggs a year, show up with three chicks one morning. She'd been trying to sit on other hens' eggs in the nest boxes and not been allowed, so eventually she must've either found another hen's hidden nest outdoors or moved some eggs outside herself.

Every chicken is different but ime older hens tend to be calmer and like a slower pace of life, so sitting on eggs and then clucking around with a few babies instead of getting involved in the rest of the flock's dramas probably suits them quite well if they're already experienced and like raising chicks.

 

[redinator]

I just recently realized most of the breeds I have range from 'likely' to 'don't leave an egg anywhere near them' in the broody department, lol.

I may have a broody colony on my hands come next spring. how that happened.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I just recently realized most of the breeds I have range from 'likely' to 'don't leave an egg anywhere near them' in the broody department, lol.

I may have a broody colony on my hands come next spring. how that happened.

Same. Now I just hope that not only are they broody, but good mothers. I would love to get to where I only had to add a bird here or there to keep the genetics in order and the flock takes care of the rest.

 

[redinator]

In about 30 mins I'll be checking if Sweety conceded and went to the larger run, or if she's being stubborn and staying in the small run. Wish me luck!

 

[redinator]

So I watched a bit from the landing while Sweety paced around in the small run trying to figure out what to do. I then watched her attempt to land on a roost bar that wasn't there anymore (my poor girl, I feel terrible)

I went to check on her and she immediately ran over clucking the whole way. I called her to follow me and walked her into the other run. She made a beeline for the chickhut once she saw it, with two chicks hot on her heels. Little Brownie got left behind so I scooped him (yes, another little cockerel) up and brought him to Mom.

Everyone is tucked in and safe in the larger run. The real question is, will she go in it willingly tomorrow night.

 

[redinator]

So today I cleaned the Giants coop and put a few fake eggs in the nestbox area. I also added oyster shell dish in the side yard. I have one in the main run, but I haven't seen the Giants go in there, so I'm covering my bases.

I also closed the gate to the small run after I stripped it bare and cleaned it. It's nearly ready for the new chicks. All I need to do now is figure out how to wrap it to keep the chicks from getting chilled or rained on. The chicks wouldn't be moved into it until they're at least 3 weeks old.

I'm thinking either tarps or something like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-20-ft-x-100-ft-Clear-6-mil-Plastic-Sheeting-CFHD0620C/204711640 I'd defenatly use 6mil thickness or better.

I don't need something permanent since I plan to take it down every summer for better airflow to prevent moisture build up in the humidity we have here.

Does this look like it'll do the job, or should I go with something else?

 

[redinator]

OMG Andre the Giant is crowing and he sounds like an owl. It's so cool!

I'm gonna try to get video!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

OMG Andre the Giant is crowing and he sounds like an owl. It's so cool!

I'm gonna try to get video!

Aww, yay!

 

[redinator]

Ok, it sounded more like an owl from inside the house, but it definitely has more bass than Kettle's does.

I like that the males that are crowing sound so much different now. Taz and Kettle sounded exactly the same, so I never knew who to be annoyed with, lol.

The last boy left that hasn't crowed is Buckbeak, unless he sounds like one of the other guys . ..