Hi Everyone!
I just had one of my Olive Eggers went broody. Its a first time for me to have a broody hen! Ive used incubators before, but I reaaaaallly wanted to let my girls have a go this time. Im so excited (Possible pun there!)
I want to make sure I dont spook her off the nest, she and her sisters are pretty flighty birds. I cleaned the coop a few days ago and she stayed on the nest, yesterday she bit me when putting another 2 eggs under her. I think she has about 12-15 now. Should I be concerned that she could spook and dro her broodiness? What can I do to keep her on the eggs? What should I NOT do?
I started leaving all my eggs in the box to encourage her on the 16th, and she went full broody around the 18th-20th. Im hoping the eggs are still viable from the 16th though. Its been cold at night. (24F at night)
Roughly when should I expect chicks? Im thinking around the week of the 7th of May? Give or take?
Being spooky, Ive considered takeing the chicks from her when they hatch and hand raising them, Im hoping they will be less spooky if I do so. The mom is Welsummer/Blue Wheaten EE and the dad is a Svart Hona. None of my girls had very much handling in the beginning so Im hoping its just them being untamed. Im hoping it will not pass to the babies.
Any suggestions would be a huge help!! Thanks!!
I just had one of my Olive Eggers went broody. Its a first time for me to have a broody hen! Ive used incubators before, but I reaaaaallly wanted to let my girls have a go this time. Im so excited (Possible pun there!)
I want to make sure I dont spook her off the nest, she and her sisters are pretty flighty birds. I cleaned the coop a few days ago and she stayed on the nest, yesterday she bit me when putting another 2 eggs under her. I think she has about 12-15 now. Should I be concerned that she could spook and dro her broodiness? What can I do to keep her on the eggs? What should I NOT do?
I started leaving all my eggs in the box to encourage her on the 16th, and she went full broody around the 18th-20th. Im hoping the eggs are still viable from the 16th though. Its been cold at night. (24F at night)
Roughly when should I expect chicks? Im thinking around the week of the 7th of May? Give or take?
Being spooky, Ive considered takeing the chicks from her when they hatch and hand raising them, Im hoping they will be less spooky if I do so. The mom is Welsummer/Blue Wheaten EE and the dad is a Svart Hona. None of my girls had very much handling in the beginning so Im hoping its just them being untamed. Im hoping it will not pass to the babies.
Any suggestions would be a huge help!! Thanks!!