I'm so excited I can't stand it. at day 19 , I think.
The broody's sisters decided to go broody today too, and were trying to steal each others egg. They don't have a nest box right now (broody has it) and they are laying on a nest on the floor. They were both in the coop when I heard a ruckus and went to see what was going on - opened the door to find both of them with their heads underneath each other, trying to steal the egg. Both screaming bloody murder. Both all puffed up and growling between screams of outrage. I stole their eggs and shooed them out of the coop. Had to block the entrance because they were both determined.
About an hour later, there was another ruckus and I assumed they had knocked over the water jug blocking the entrance and were back in fighting over the nest area. I opened the coop door and my heart jumpted - the broody was on top of the nest box and screaming! as soon as I opened the door, she flew out, very agitated. Not sure why. She flounced around, giving me what for, and finally took an enormous poop, and headed back to her nest. I was afraid she had decided she was done! hatch should be a day or two away.
I lined the broody area fence with chicken wire so the chicks can't get out. I have to sort out some grit - usually I can just screen out the regular grit for "chick" size. I'm just going to let them eat the all flock mash that everyone else is eating - it doesn't have calcium and is at 18%. Have to get a chick waterer in there....and i'm ready!
Of course, the other flock wants in the sulmtaler coop, every chance they get they sneak in their coop and poke around. They've decided the sulmtaler's tiny run is better than theirs....
The broody's sisters decided to go broody today too, and were trying to steal each others egg. They don't have a nest box right now (broody has it) and they are laying on a nest on the floor. They were both in the coop when I heard a ruckus and went to see what was going on - opened the door to find both of them with their heads underneath each other, trying to steal the egg. Both screaming bloody murder. Both all puffed up and growling between screams of outrage. I stole their eggs and shooed them out of the coop. Had to block the entrance because they were both determined.
About an hour later, there was another ruckus and I assumed they had knocked over the water jug blocking the entrance and were back in fighting over the nest area. I opened the coop door and my heart jumpted - the broody was on top of the nest box and screaming! as soon as I opened the door, she flew out, very agitated. Not sure why. She flounced around, giving me what for, and finally took an enormous poop, and headed back to her nest. I was afraid she had decided she was done! hatch should be a day or two away.
I lined the broody area fence with chicken wire so the chicks can't get out. I have to sort out some grit - usually I can just screen out the regular grit for "chick" size. I'm just going to let them eat the all flock mash that everyone else is eating - it doesn't have calcium and is at 18%. Have to get a chick waterer in there....and i'm ready!
Of course, the other flock wants in the sulmtaler coop, every chance they get they sneak in their coop and poke around. They've decided the sulmtaler's tiny run is better than theirs....