Thanksgiving Hatch- Anyone want to join in?

[Jen4]

Newduckie wrote:Sorry.. Do you think it got to cold.? I am concerned about letting the hen raise mine now that I am reading these posts. They might be better under the brooder , rather than the hen.

Thanks... I really dont know, maybe it got squished, the others are fine... the 2 EE's are out in their area walking around, eating and drinking.​

 

[neferset]

We have had no problems with broody hens raising chicks if the chicks are confined with the hen. It is awfully cute to watch the hen walking around the yard with her babies, but they are easy prey for anything that cares to grab them. Also, toward the end of summer is the last time it is at all practical in any way. But we did find that if we confine the hen with her chicks in a pen large enough to allow for growth that it often works out.

The only issue we have had is with chicken wire pens and bantam chicks who are small enough to get through the wire. Anyway, in terms of crushed chicks, I've had far fewer problems with broodies than with chicks in the brooder trying to crowd into one corner and suffocating the unfortunate baby on the bottom.

 

[Jen4]

Our broody is confined with her chicks in the coop with their food/water and room to move around in. I use the little wire to pen them in, cause I knew they could get through the chicken wire. Then I have a little area for them to free range in with they are ready and they a bigger area for them when they are ready for it (our 2 month old chicks free range there now) and they I'll let them free range the yard with the other chickens.... I was going to let the 2 month olds out to the big yard yesterday but changed my mind... wait alittle long, let them get alittle bigger, they are happy in their area for now

 

[neferset]

That's good. We are currently holding some month old chicks and need a bigger pen for them. Actually, a couple groups of month olds. I really need to get up and check the bator and check on the peeps. I hear some one calling.

 

[evonne]

my10 are due to hatch today.. last batch came early so i was surprised they weren't pipping yesterday... maybe the egg carton and the high and low temps of it have slowed them down a bit.... hoping they start doing something soon....

 

[neferset]

The other reason I did not want to check everyone this morning. Little Drier Lint was the victim of a run by clucking yesterday (despite attempts to keep him safe from the older chicks) and passed away in the early hours this morning. I now have another lonely chick and no hatchings due for a week if the current eggs fail. Please, more silkies!

 

[evonne]

aawww sorry nef... you're having the worst luck with your babies right now....

did you show those eggs the contract i wrote up for you??

grats on all the new hatches... and good luck to those still waiting....

 

[catwalk]

I've got a Cochin pip! When I locked down, I moved the thermometer to where I couldn't see it. I gave in and opened up the hatcher last night to move it..... 77 degrees! The bulb had burned out. I quickly put another one in and threw in a couple jars of hot water. I was certain they were all goners, but I decided I'd give them a chance, and now a pip! Soon I hope, I'll be able to tell everyone what you get when you cross a black with a buff.

 

[neferset]

Quote:
It's still only day 22, but not a pip. I thought I had a serama pip earlier but it turned out to be a bit of shell stuck on the outside of the egg. (I looked while taking the little Silkie out.)

 

[monita]

so far all of my mixed chicks have hatched as well as 3 seramas. i have 2 silkies with pips and 2 seramas with pips. all in all i have 12 chicks 4 pips and still waiting on 6 to show some action.