Toyed With Integration Today

[bobbi-j]

Broody Hoo!!

Yep - just put some straw and 8 eggs under her.

Three dark brown ones, four olive green and one blue-green one. It will be fun to see what we end up with. Hopefully some pullets that will lay fun eggs.

(As I was puttering about inside the coop, the young ones were all running around loose outside the coop - the dog was laying quietly by the door. Progress? I hope so.)

 

[aart]

Fingers crossed for broody and the pup.

 

[bobbi-j]

Now I remember why I don't like to let a broody set where the other chickens can have access to the nest. After being gone all day today, checked on chickens and found two of the green eggs broken/gone. I don't know if someone else was fighting for the nest and they got broke, or if I have an egg eater (I have been suspecting the latter). On the bright side, I found three eggs in the nest boxes on the other side of the coop - maybe they'll all catch on and start laying there. But the hatching eggs have yolk on them, and I picked off the extra egg shell... I guess we'll see what happens. If they all end up broken and she's still broody, I'll take her and the fake eggs, partition them off, and if she settles great - I'll put more under her. If she doesn't, oh well, I tried.

 

[aart]

Now I remember why I don't like to let a broody set where the other chickens can have access to the nest. After being gone all day today, checked on chickens and found two of the green eggs broken/gone. I don't know if someone else was fighting for the nest and they got broke, or if I have an egg eater (I have been suspecting the latter). On the bright side, I found three eggs in the nest boxes on the other side of the coop - maybe they'll all catch on and start laying there. But the hatching eggs have yolk on them, and I picked off the extra egg shell... I guess we'll see what happens. If they all end up broken and she's still broody, I'll take her and the fake eggs, partition them off, and if she settles great - I'll put more under her. If she doesn't, oh well, I tried.

OhCrap!

 

[bobbi-j]

Just thought I'd update - out of the 8 eggs we started with, three got broken within the first couple of days. Five eggs (two green, three brown) made it to hatch date. Of those five eggs, only one hatched - that was two days ago. I was gone for the week, and forgot to have DH note what color egg it was that hatched. He also cleaned out the nest, so I didn't see what eggs were left. Honestly, I didn't expect any to hatch since they were covered in yolk from the broken eggs and the nest smelled rotten while the hen was sitting on it. The chick is brown with "chipmunk stripes", and could have poofy cheeks. Mama isn't letting me get too close at this point. I had planned on just leaving them with the flock, but DH (again, I didn't communicate) put them in the other half of the coop, so I will integrate them next week when I get back home. (Leaving again tomorrow) It's OK - it gives the chick a chance to get a bit stronger and Mama will still be very protective.

 

[aart]

Just thought I'd update - out of the 8 eggs we started with, three got broken within the first couple of days. Five eggs (two green, three brown) made it to hatch date. Of those five eggs, only one hatched - that was two days ago. I was gone for the week, and forgot to have DH note what color egg it was that hatched. He also cleaned out the nest, so I didn't see what eggs were left. Honestly, I didn't expect any to hatch since they were covered in yolk from the broken eggs and the nest smelled rotten while the hen was sitting on it. The chick is brown with "chipmunk stripes", and could have poofy cheeks. Mama isn't letting me get too close at this point. I had planned on just leaving them with the flock, but DH (again, I didn't communicate) put them in the other half of the coop, so I will integrate them next week when I get back home. (Leaving again tomorrow) It's OK - it gives the chick a chance to get a bit stronger and Mama will still be very protective.

Bummer....but, ohwell.

 

[bobbi-j]

At least she has one to keep her broody heart happy. Last time she went broody (two years ago), she hatched out 4 or 5, got them weaned at about 5 weeks and went broody again. If that happens this year, I will separate her, and give her a few more eggs.