Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[JoyfulPromise]

I just built this for my broody and her chicks. Made from left over wood, took only 5 hours to make and the roof lifts up. It works perfect to keep them safe.

Oh my goodness! That is EXACTLY what I want to build for my broody bantam and her chicks when they hatch! Very nicely done! I like how you have the little door on the side, and the hinged roof was what I was thinking too. Thanks for the picture! Now I have something to show my brother and Dad so they can help me build mine!

Edit: BTW, what are the dimensions of the run on your broody coop?

 

[pogmobum]

[COLOR=008080]Oh my goodness!  That is EXACTLY what I want to build for my broody bantam and her chicks when they hatch!  Very nicely done![/COLOR][COLOR=008080]  I like how you have the little door on the side, and the hinged roof was what I was thinking too.  Thanks for the picture!  Now I have something to show my brother and Dad so they can help me build mine! [/COLOR]  

[COLOR=008080]Edit: BTW, what are the dimensions of the run on your broody coop?[/COLOR]

The whole thing is around 8x2x2 foot'ish lol i just stuck the bottom frame together with old 2x1 then attached some old boards to one end to make the coop.

 

[Beekissed]

My kids are around 6 weeks now... they're in the coop with the adults and have NO fear.

I am not even kidding... these chicks will fight a grown hen for food.

It's funny how quickly they grow up, isn't it? Land on their feet and start running from there....tough things, chicks.

 

[Beekissed]

Mine starting hatching Friday, and my 20th one hatched just a few minutes ago.














The yellow ones are Bresse, the dark ones are Black and Blue Marans, and I THINK the silvery one in the middle of the bottom photo may be a
splash Birchen Marans.....maybe.

They are so sweet!!! That soil has me drooling!!! So rich looking....and they certainly are starting on it right away, aren't they?

Found blood in the CX chick's poop yesterday...just in a couple of the poops. But....they are so incredibly active that I'm betting what ever is trying to work on their bowels isn't being too successful...and that's the whole idea of early exposure to the coop environment and the soils they will be living out their lives on. I've seen this before and nothing came of it...healthy, vigorous and active chicks.

I'm loving it that you are giving them soil on their first day, BC!

 

[BCMaraniac]

They are so sweet!!! That soil has me drooling!!! So rich looking....and they certainly are starting on it right away, aren't they?

Found blood in the CX chick's poop yesterday...just in a couple of the poops. But....they are so incredibly active that I'm betting what ever is trying to work on their bowels isn't being too successful...and that's the whole idea of early exposure to the coop environment and the soils they will be living out their lives on. I've seen this before and nothing came of it...healthy, vigorous and active chicks.

I'm loving it that you are giving them soil on their first day, BC!

I figure since a broody does, I should too. When I put my hand down into the brooder, they come running....and some of them jump into my hand....then start pecking my age spots and surgery scar....

....they must think I'm their Mama.

 

[LindaB220]

I figure since a broody does, I should too. When I put my hand down into the brooder, they come running....and some of them jump into my hand....then start pecking my age spots and surgery scar....

....they must think I'm their Mama.

Jeez, mine come running when I come in but it's apparent that it's all about the food. They are hatchery birds and so skitish. No chance to pet. I purposely was not going to make pets out of them but .. well... I'd like a friendly wave or something.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Jeez, my come running when I come in but it's apparent that it's all about the food. They are hatchery birds and so skitish. No chance to pet. I purposely was not going to make pets out of them but .. well... I'd like a friendly wave or something.

I have hatched chicks before, but they have never done this.....they must like the dirt.....LOL. I'm not going to make pets out of these either. These are meat birds!

 

[PappasMomma]

Following you both...good luck..

 

[Kassaundra]

I was asked to post these pics here. I put my 3 week old chicks out in the outside coop when the nights were still in the high 30's and low 40's. They were used to the feather duster broody chicken in their inside brooder, and I wanted them to feel comfortable and at home in the big coop, so I made a brooder bucket out of a 5 gall bucket and some polar fleece. The holes were drilled about the size of a pencil. They love this bucket.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I was asked to post these pics here. I put my 3 week old chicks out in the outside coop when the nights were still in the high 30's and low 40's. They were used to the feather duster broody chicken in their inside brooder, and I wanted them to feel comfortable and at home in the big coop, so I made a brooder bucket out of a 5 gall bucket and some polar fleece. The holes were drilled about the size of a pencil. They love this bucket.

I like your fleece broody Kassaundra! Gives me ideas! I would probably add a front to the bucket to keep shavings in it so it wouldn't be slick but would be warm for them to lay in... unless it could be buried a couple of inches. hmmm