The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Went out to check on the new Momma, and found 10 or 11 new chicks so far this morning. I think 2 eggs left to go. She had 13 under her. I pulled out the egg shells, and found one egg trying to pip, but an empty shell had glued itself to the other egg. I chipped part of that one off, and slightly separated the pipped egg, and saw the chick was still breathing, so pushed it back under Momma, found another still hooked to the shell, just recently out, so that also went back under her. I have slightly hampered her in the size of nesting box she is using. I have a milk crate, for laying only, but she choose to use that for brooding. Later today, or when the eggs are hatched out, I am going to put her and the babies into another nest, where the chicks can get out, otherwise they won't be able to get out of the crate. My other choice is to just put it on it's side, but space will still be limited. I will follow up with pictures later today, or tomorrow when I am repositioning them. My first look today was a baby butt hanging out under Moms neck, all snuggled up to her.... sooo cute!

That sure is a tiny broody box!

I would do that soon. At least our milk crates here are super small. I don't even think my barred rock could fit in there without chicks.

Congrats on the chicks

 

[Kacey's Krazee's]

First pic is Sunshine in her milk crate laying/broody nest
2nd pic is 12 of the 13 chicks in the new nest box,and the sleeping egg under them. Sunshine is getting a drink of water
3rd pic is Sunshine coming back into the nest, and the chicks waiting for her. The little Easter Egger with the back to the camera, is going to be trouble! Already looking for a way to check out the world. Sunshine had to pull him/her back to safety!

 

[Miss Lydia]

First pic is Sunshine in her milk crate laying/broody nest
2nd pic is 12 of the 13 chicks in the new nest box,and the sleeping egg under them. Sunshine is getting a drink of water
3rd pic is Sunshine coming back into the nest, and the chicks waiting for her. The little Easter Egger with the back to the camera, is going to be trouble! Already looking for a way to check out the world. Sunshine had to pull him/her back to safety!

Aww how precious

ps make sure they can get back in if they fall out of the box.

 

[Bulldogma]

First pic is Sunshine in her milk crate laying/broody nest
2nd pic is 12 of the 13 chicks in the new nest box,and the sleeping egg under them. Sunshine is getting a drink of water
3rd pic is Sunshine coming back into the nest, and the chicks waiting for her. The little Easter Egger with the back to the camera, is going to be trouble! Already looking for a way to check out the world. Sunshine had to pull him/her back to safety!

Awwwww! Thank you for sharing these photos! Now you'll have to give them names like Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen...

 

[donnavee]

This is my first Christmas with "the girls" and I've been so very thankful for them the past few days. I've been doing my baking and I still marvel at the size of each egg as I crack it into the batter, dough, or whatever. I've noticed a difference in my baked goods, too. My sour cream sugar cookies dough didn't look pasty white as usual and my breads seemed to have an improved texture. I swear the carrot cake was firmer - very dense and no trouble handling it out of the pan. Homemade pumpkin pies are in the oven now and I can't wait to see how they'll be.

I mumble and talk to myself as I cook and I've been saying a "thank you" to the girls with every egg I crack. Don't worry, they'll get a special treat come Christmas morning, for sure!

I'll be giving my sweeties extra treats as well. You just can't beat those hand gathered eggs from your own flock. Merry Christmas to you and your girls.

 

[Kacey's Krazee's]

I hope we don't have any problems with that. I put more hay around the outside of the box to help her keep them warm..... I didn't think they would have a problem with this one....I'll keep any eye out for that...
I hope they an just walk back into the nest.......maybe I'll add more hay to ensure that they can make it back to her and the nest.



Do you think I should put in the brooding lamp just in case?

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Merry Christmas, Natural Chicken Keepers!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope we don't have any problems with that. I put more hay around the outside of the box to help her keep them warm..... I didn't think they would have a problem with this one....I'll keep any eye out for that...
I hope they an just walk back into the nest.......maybe I'll add more hay to ensure that they can make it back to her and the nest.



Do you think I should put in the brooding lamp just in case?

i wouldn't unless you were having extreme cold, she'll keep them warm as long as they all fit under her. They all look very healthy..

 

[Sally8]

Congratulations everyone on your Christmas Eve chicks. My broody hen jumped nests after sitting on hers for a week. No 2nd chances for her. I'm leaving only 2 eggs under her and taking the rest daily. (I have different colors). They sure are beautiful! Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Sally8]

aoxa. I just read where skunk oil helps with congestion. It sure clears my sinus' out when I pass a ripe dead one!