Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[mortie]

Lol

 

[cheeka]

lindz, they are so adorable! they get bigger so quickly... you are so lucky to get such an unlikely broody! with her success, you can pretty much guarantee that she'll want to sit again in August.

so... we had 2 major thunderstorms this afternoon. I let the flock out, and saw it rolling in after about an hour. they were really good about going home, they don't like rain and their pens are the best cover... they still get wet under the shrubs... after it passed, I let them back out. but the storm tracker reported that another storm was due to hit us and approximately what time... so I kept an eye on the clock and started to round them up about 10 minutes before it hit. I got soaked in the second storm, but they didn't... the second storm came complete with hail.

Big Broody is back! she skipped both rounds of free range, so I crawled in the Dogloo to visit with her. she's broody for sure. I tried to set her up in the Broody Pen, but Peach made it very clear that she was not welcome to sit on eggs in her own kennel in that pen. period. it was okay, and Big Broody saw the chicks, which almost made me cry, she was so sweet. she's fussing over 14 eggs in the gated off Dogloo, with her own food and water. I'll open her gate when the others are out free ranging, so if she wants to take a bath... it's right there. the other Foster hens have a kennel that they've used before to lay in now. I have one empty pen. it needs roof work. I'll get it done and move Peach and her 3 and Silkie with whatever hatches around the time that Big Broody's chicks come, so I can then move her into the Broody Pen to raise her babies.
PIC HEAVY, but do you expect anything less from me?

First (and only) watermelon pecking lesson. they's pros now.





well... even a pro fumbles one now and then...

Big Glorious Broody!

Happy as a clam, it's so big inside there, she can keep her chicks there for at least the first week...

so the other hens can't bug her... she's way way in the back


19 eggs today, but only 14 in the basket. I've been stashing eggs for Big Broody for 3 days. 4 day before yesterday, 5 yesterday and 5 today.

 

[Hershy]

Cheeka, thanks for the pica, such cuties. I have 1 week olds, but seeing babies with mama is so much more heartwarming! Keep posting baby pics!

 

[chic05]

So as a newie I have a question I got my first egg two days ago and none since thought once they start they keep them coming??

 

[subhanalah]

So as a newie I have a question I got my first egg two days ago and none since thought once they start they keep them coming??

it takes some time to get all the kinks worked out keep them clean, watered, fed, and safe..they'll do the rest.

 

[chic05]

Yeah that's the plan
Went to the local animal produce store she recommended lime for the dirt run?? Inside I have sand and it's working a treat.. I've sprinkled it on the outside After reading some posts on it I'm now concerned.

 

[lindz8504]

So as a newie I have a question I got my first egg two days ago and none since thought once they start they keep them coming??

So as a newie I have a question I got my first egg two days ago and none since thought once they start they keep them coming??

it takes some time to get all the kinks worked out keep them clean, watered, fed, and safe..they'll do the rest.

Usually they do..... except for a black copper marans of mine. I got one egg in March and nothing since.

 

[chic05]

Thanks for your reply

We had one odd spring day in the middle of winter the other day and there was the egg. I'm hoping it's just the weather?

 

[chickenlindz]

Usually they do..... except for a black copper marans of mine. I got one egg in March and nothing since.

Lindz I just found another outside nest from my girls. I was outside walking the dog and my husband said "honey come into my shop". I knew right away what it meant. There on the back wall was a nest in the stones (can't be comfy) with 6 marans eggs. I don't think any of my marans routinely lay in the nest boxes!

 

[lindz8504]

Usually they do..... except for a black copper marans of mine. I got one egg in March and nothing since.

Lindz I just found another outside nest from my girls. I was outside walking the dog and my husband said "honey come into my shop". I knew right away what it meant. There on the back wall was a nest in the stones (can't be comfy) with 6 marans eggs. I don't think any of my marans routinely lay in the nest boxes!

Lol.... I have looked everywhere for a hidden nest. And since Ratchet has been after them again I have been keeping them in the run until my husband gets home and I can set out with them. Everyone has really slowed down lately. I think maybe it is the heat....?