The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Bummer.

 

[joyfulkeeper]

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.... 

Ohhh, sounds like anticipation and excitement are a brewing with you and your flock. Bring on the chicks!

Mine are due today! The kids and I are going crazy waiting.

I somehow forgot about getting water set up for the chicks. Thanks for the prompt with your post.

I think everything else is just about ready. We had a couple small holes over our well that chick's could have fallen through so dh & ds are fixing that now. What else should I be doing? .... waiting. ...

 

[lalaland]

joyfulkeeper, have you heard any piping? or the broody "talking" to the eggs? I've read that will happen the last day, but so far nothing for me. Day 20, should start that tonight. Good luck!

 

[joyfulkeeper]

joyfulkeeper, have you heard any piping?  or the broody "talking" to the eggs?  I've read that will happen the last day, but so far nothing for me.  Day 20, should start that tonight.  Good luck!

I was able to candle the eggs yesterday evening when she got off the nest for a couple minutes and I think there were 2 that had pipped internally. Today, she is not budging and I hear her doing a soft clucking. No sign of chicks yet though.

 

[lalaland]

that soft clucking must be what I've read about - momma talking to chicks!

 

[armorfirelady]

Anyone ever hatch pheasant eggs? A friend bought some & I offered Lucy to hatch them since she is convinced she needs to hatch eggs.

 

[MargaretYakoda]

Nothing important...it was late and I had had a couple stiff ones..stiffer than usual...I't's been and still is a stressful time for me.

Been there, done that, got the tshirt and wore it so long it's all rags now.
Stress. Sucks.
That is all.

I won't do thing where people say lame azz platitudes. 'Cause ya, maybe it will make you stronger? Or whatever? But who the helz asked to get stronger anyhow?

BTW if stessfull times actually did make people stronger I'd be made of 100% pure adamantium buy now.

 

[hellbender]

Been there, done that, got the tshirt and wore it so long it's all rags now.
Stress. Sucks.
That is all.

I won't do thing where people say lame azz platitudes. 'Cause ya, maybe it will make you stronger? Or whatever? But who the helz asked to get stronger anyhow?

BTW if stessfull times actually did make people stronger I'd be made of 100% pure adamantium buy now.

Your avatar shows me you're my kind of woman!!!

 

[joyfulkeeper]

Yipee! We have 2 external pips and we could hear some peeping! I'm giddy with excitement. My dh is laughing at me and so are the boys, but I know they are just as excited. My 15 yr old dd and 10 yr old ds giggled with me. How long now until they hatch completely?

 

[subhanalah]

Yipee! We have 2 external pips and we could hear some peeping! I'm giddy with excitement. My dh is laughing at me and so are the boys, but I know they are just as excited. My 15 yr old dd and 10 yr old ds giggled with me. How long now until they hatch completely?

in the next 48 hours, most if not all of your eggs should be hatched.