The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Miss Lydia]

I've always used the water based magic makers. purple is my preferred color.

I only put a small mark just to keep track of the eggs that are being laid other than the brooded eggs.

 

[stonykill]

One major perk of a hatchery/feed store purchase, for me, was that I didn't have to order X number of birds from breeders all over the country and have them shipped to me. I didn't know much (anything really) about the different breeds of chickens, although I did know there were breeds for meat, eggs, and both. By purchasing from two different feed stores, I was able to choose one or two of each breed I was interested in, including a few straight run assorted bantams and some egg laying machines. NOW of course I know that my hatchery RIR and BR are not even close to what a true RIR or BR would be had I purchased from a breeder. My hatchery birds have provided me ample opportunity to observe and learn about the specific traits I want/need in a flock. My first broody hatch this fall was completely experimental, as I wasn't sure whether she would stay with the eggs, and then whether she would mother them. I let her sit on any eggs she wanted, and did not select by breed or traits. I had two roosters at the time, so had no idea which roo had bred the hens. Completely an experiment, and I learned a TON. first off, that little 3-4lb Banty took on more than she could handle with 11 eggs... I didn't think it would work, but let her try anyways. I also didn't mark eggs, so other hens continued to lay in her nest for a week after she began to sit. I didn't know which eggs to toss when there were new ones added, so I just left them. I learned how to candle - boy, that was exciting!! Most importantly, I learned that I have an excellent broody and mother in that tiny little package.
So, next time, I will be selecting the eggs very carefully.
What do you use, if anything, to mark eggs in a broody hatch? I've read about people using sharpies - that doesn't do any damage to the chick?

I use sharpies. Never had a problem. I've had pencil wear off due to the egg rolling. Ever notice how shiny broody eggs get from all of the rolling?!

 

[NikkiMiChickie]

That's what I was thinking, stony. Under a broody, they're being rolled around and are right up against her skin (mine seemed to lose some feathers underneath.... Don't know if that's normal or not, but those eggs stayed warm...)
I know there was a roosting question yesterday, and I have one too. Mama and her three chicks 8&9 weeks are still sleeping in the nest box. Should I move them to a roost? The chicks all play on the roosts during the day, but they don't sleep there yet. Didn't know if they were still too young. There's plenty of roost space, and one whole empty roost that the big girls and roo don't use. I thought I'd put them on that one to get them used to it, but then wondered if they'd eventually do that on their own?

 

[stonykill]

That's what I was thinking, stony. Under a broody, they're being rolled around and are right up against her skin (mine seemed to lose some feathers underneath.... Don't know if that's normal or not, but those eggs stayed warm...)
I know there was a roosting question yesterday, and I have one too. Mama and her three chicks 8&9 weeks are still sleeping in the nest box. Should I move them to a roost? The chicks all play on the roosts during the day, but they don't sleep there yet. Didn't know if they were still too young. There's plenty of roost space, and one whole empty roost that the big girls and roo don't use. I thought I'd put them on that one to get them used to it, but then wondered if they'd eventually do that on their own?

yes broody hens pull their breast feathers to better control temp and humidity. That is 100% normal.

8 to 9 weeks old is plenty old enough to be on the roost. You can start to put them up if you want but I've seen broody's wait longer than that to bring their lil ones up. They aren't going to sleep up there until one of 3 things happen. 1 Mama brings them up, 2 Mama cuts them loose and they naturally go up there, or 3 you make them go up. Save 3 as the last resort. When Mama see's it is time she will bring them up herself 99% of the time. I find it best to let nature take it's course unless you must absolutely intervene.

 

[NikkiMiChickie]

Thank you, sir I'll wait on mama to decide.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And it is so funny to look in when they go to roost and see mama and her 8-12 week old chicks roosting with mama trying to cover them with her wings.

 

[stonykill]

And it is so funny to look in when they go to roost and see mama and her 8-12 week old chicks roosting with mama trying to cover them with her wings.

it certainly is

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Pencil, and I have never used a sharpie.

I use a wax pen. It is non-reactive, and soft tipped.

 

[Bulldogma]

I'm thinkin' that approach would be good to put into the blog! How 'bout it, BD?

Great idea!

And it is so funny to look in when they go to roost and see mama and her 8-12 week old chicks roosting with mama trying to cover them with her wings.

Awesome visual there - LOL! Can't wait until I get a broody with chicks.

 

[stonykill]

Great idea!


Awesome visual there - LOL! Can't wait until I get a broody with chicks.

show your girls my pictures of broody's on my FB page. If that doesn't get them thinking

. Actually I've got a few tips I'll share when I do the blog to "enable"