Redinator's First Hatch-Along w Bonus Broody: Extended Edition

[redinator]

I think I might have realized why it happened. Any chicks that I hatch or brood indoors I handle frequently, so they have my scent on them.

I didn't handle these chicks at all so Daisy didn't see them as "mine". Just a theory, but not one I'm willing to test.

 

[jxp]

Is it possible ( and keep in mind I got this idea from reading posts here because I'm really not at all drenched in raising chickens and only have a very few so forgive my ignorance) to put the incubator chicks under Sweety at night while she's asleep? What are the chances she'd accept them? Would they accept her? Are they too old? Honestly curious to learn over here.

 

[redinator]

Is it possible ( and keep in mind I got this idea from reading posts here because I'm really not at all drenched in raising chickens and only have a very few so forgive my ignorance) to put the incubator chicks under Sweety at night while she's asleep? What are the chances she'd accept them? Would they accept her? Are they too old? Honestly curious to learn over here.

It mostly depends on the pullet/hen. Day olds, no more than 3 days old, are generally accepted from what I understand.

Since she's a first time mom, and I really don't know how well she'll do, so I wouldn't want to chance it. I also don't want to overwhelm her. The incubator chicks are 11 days old and way more active than the day olds. She could kill or injure the 11 day olds to protect her babies.

 

[ChickenChick46]

It mostly depends on the pullet/hen. Day olds, no more than 3 days old, are generally accepted from what I understand.

Since she's a first time mom, and I really don't know how well she'll do, so I wouldn't want to chance it. I also don't want to overwhelm her. The incubator chicks are 11 days old and way more active than the day olds. She could kill or injure the 11 day olds to protect her babies.

11 days already?!

 

[redinator]

The second run is complete! Once everyone beds down for the night I'll be shifting everyone around.

 

[redinator]

11 days already?!

My bad 10 days, but still . . . . Before long they'll be laying eggs and having babies, lol.

BTW . . . while we were moving things around and cleaning up the yard I found a hidden nest. I don't know who is laying in it because Pot and the Buff Orpington (Buffy) are obviously laying in the nest box.

I guess at least one of the reds decided she'd rather take her chances in the 'wild' (under a table that has a tarp laid over it like a tablecloth) than argue with Sweety over a spot in the nextbox.

There were 6 eggs in it, so either all 5 RIR started laying the same week, or I have a couple very busy girls that have been laying for a few days.

 

[redinator]

Oh, this was really funny!

While my son and I were putting the tarp over the new run about 6 or 7 of the 8 and 9 week old were milling around in the new run. When we started spreading shaving on the ground they all ran and huddled in the far corner, trying to escape. I realized they were afraid of the shaving, I usually use pelleted bedding.

I grabbed one from the corner and said, "It's not lava, I promise." The chick was fine while I was holding it, but as soon I tried to put down in the middle of the shaving it panicked and got out of my hands and landed on my head. My son started laughing and said, "I don't think she believes you."

This whole time the other chicks are still scrambling in the corner trying to escape. I felt a little sorry for them, but I took them one at a time and dropped them in the shavings. They quickly ran to the edge and found a bit of bare ground to stand on. No one died, but my son nearly did from laughing.

 

[ChickenChick46]

My bad 10 days, but still . . . . Before long they'll be laying eggs and having babies, lol.

BTW . . . while we were moving things around and cleaning up the yard I found a hidden nest. I don't know who is laying in it because Pot and the Buff Orpington (Buffy) are obviously laying in the nest box.

I guess at least one of the reds decided she'd rather take her chances in the 'wild' (under a table that has a tarp laid over it like a tablecloth) than argue with Sweety over a spot in the nextbox.

There were 6 eggs in it, so either all 5 RIR started laying the same week, or I have a couple very busy girls that have been laying for a few days.

I can't believe they're 10 days old. Time flies!

Haha wow! You're gonna have chicks coming out of your ears.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Oh, this was really funny!

While my son and I were putting the tarp over the new run about 6 or 7 of the 8 and 9 week old were milling around in the new run. When we started spreading shaving on the ground they all ran and huddled in the far corner, trying to escape. I realized they were afraid of the shaving, I usually use pelleted bedding.

I grabbed one from the corner and said, "It's not lava, I promise." The chick was fine while I was holding it, but as soon I tried to put down in the middle of the shaving it panicked and got out of my hands and landed on my head. My son started laughing and said, "I don't think she believes you."

This whole time the other chicks are still scrambling in the corner trying to escape. I felt a little sorry for them, but I took them one at a time and dropped them in the shavings. They quickly ran to the edge and found a bit of bare ground to stand on. No one died, but my son nearly did from laughing.

Poor things! It's funny when they're afraid of.

Today, my oldest group was terrified by a butterfly that flew down close to their run.

 

[redinator]

Poor things! It's funny when they're afraid of.

Today, my oldest group was terrified by a butterfly that flew down close to their run.

I'll hear my cockerels do a "caw" warning and it'll be a dragonfly. I'm like, "You could catch that and eat it, ya know." They look at me like I'm speaking a funny language.