The Quack Shack

[Miss Lydia]

Doing great! The last egg still needs to externally pip, but it should be close. The first 2 are already pecking around with mom.
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Should I be concerned about momma being off the other egg or is it likely just breakfast time? It's very alive and cheeping in it's shell. .

Just make sure she goes back. Usually as long as they hear peeping they will stick on the eggs but first timers can be a little fickle. Do you find this to be true Bob? Do you let your hens hatch chicks?

 

[Duck_life]

Bless his heart. Cold weather will not slow down staff inside ones body where temps stay warm maybe In frozen ground? It’s so hard to get anything done when the weather won’t cooperate. If at all possible I’d try to at least keep some kind of antibiotic ointment on any place that’s open and try an keep him as clean as possible.

Of course, I have been using triple antibiotic and Amoxicillin. No wounds are open at the moment since we don't want to stress him out, he heals quickly, actually. The wound scabbed up 1 day after we cut it open.I'm going to take pictures when I get home, hoping for suggestions and what to do, if possible, get the rest of the puss out as it has turned into 2 bubbles above the other one.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pictures would be good. I'd think anyplace where puss had gathered needs to be opened and drained.

 

[Trimurtisan]

Just make sure she goes back. Usually as long as they hear peeping they will stick on the eggs but first timers can be a little fickle. Do you find this to be true Bob? Do you let your hens hatch chicks?

She ended up laying back down on ground level. I don't think the chicks could get back in the tool bin her nest is in. I placed the egg in front of her and she quickly rolled it under her. She was only off it for 4-5 minutes. Watching her with the occasional chick popping out is as good as therapy. This is much cooler than the incubator.

 

[rjohns39]

She ended up laying back down on ground level. I don't think the chicks could get back in the tool bin her nest is in. I placed the egg in front of her and she quickly rolled it under her. She was only off it for 4-5 minutes. Watching her with the occasional chick popping out is as good as therapy. This is much cooler than the incubator.

Just be mindful of when she decided to bring them out to socialize with the others.

 

[Trimurtisan]

Just be mindful of when she decided to bring them out to socialize with the others.

Until yesterday she's been sitting on a shelf in the garage. When I found the chicks I moved them to a pin on ground level. They are in the bantam yard so everyone can see them. How long do you think I should wait to integrate them? I was considering 3-4 weeks so they can get some feathers in.

 

[rjohns39]

Until yesterday she's been sitting on a shelf in the garage. When I found the chicks I moved them to a pin on ground level. They are in the bantam yard so everyone can see them. How long do you think I should wait to integrate them? I was considering 3-4 weeks so they can get some feathers in.

I'll defer to Patti, I've only let the girls hatch out once and it didn't go well. My gut says wait until they have some size to them, but more experienced folks can give you a better answer.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I usually keep my mamas and chicks where everyone can see them but they are behind fencing. Mama hens are very protective but giving them a week lets mama and chicks get use to each other and chicks use to listening to mama. It's so enjoyable watching mama and her chicks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd be more concerned if everyone was penned up together. But free ranging mamas usually stay away from everyone else. And I haven seen how the other birds give a pretty wide berth to mama and chicks. Even bantams can be a force to reckon with.

 

[Trimurtisan]

The pin they are in is about 16' square with HC sides. They can be seen but not touched. Should I move them for a week to get acquainted or just leave them pinned for a week? Sorry I'm a bit confused. After a see, no touch period, should I just leave the pin door open and let it be momma's choice to come out? Should I do that under supervision only?