Waiting for 9/22 hatch date! I put fertile eggs under the broody hen!

[Happy Chooks]

Too cute!

I went out this morning and listened. I can't hear any peeping yet. I was tempted to lift her up, but I didn't want to disturb her on the last couple days. She's a fierce one that doesn't want me messing with her eggs.

 

[ZaneyMama]

I've decided not to move my broody hen and just put something outside the nesting box for the chicks to climb out onto. I'll be watching carefully all day starting tomorrow so I can move her and the chicks right away. I don't think I can leave them with the rest of the flock - I have one MEAN hen that pecks everyone.

I'm getting so excited!

BIGJ, how many are hatched now? How are they doing? MORE PICS, PLEASE!!!

 

[bigj]

Only 2 so far. Early birds!

 

[ZaneyMama]

SO CUTE! How many eggs did you have?

 

[bigj]

She ended up sitting on 8 good eggs. I think 2 of them will have to go to a friends house to finish cooking in an incubator.

 

[bigj]

Another hatch! That makes 3 of 8 so far. Super Fluffy wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot so #3 will have to wait untill tomorrow.

 

[sprawli]

So when I got home from work today, my daughter said she could hear cheeping from the eggs my broody is on. Yeah, whatever! But when I went to listen, she was right!!! Faint cheeping! So lifted her up to take a look and found on of the eggs has begun to crack! Sweet!!! Here's a couple of photos:

So exciting! Woohoo!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Congrats to those of you hatching!

 

[bigj]

4 of 8 hatched as of this morning.

Almost forgot. My friend will be bringing by his incubator very early tomorrow morning so I can finish off any late bloomers.

-UPDATE-
Just came back from checking on my peeps. Super Fluffy and her 4 babies were all on the ground in a corner! I figure one of the babies left the nest on accident and momma followed. My wife put one of the babies back in the nest with the 4 remaining eggs and Super Fluffy hopped right back in! So we put the other 3 babies in there with her and took this picture shortly after.

All tired out from their little adventure it seems. Scared me as I dont have an incubator setup just yet.

Had to cull my one sick/injured bird while I was up there. From clumsy and lethargic to what seemed like total paralysis. Alot easier to do when the bird seems to WANT the axe. I guess I was looking for a miracle recovery. Nothing like the above pic to chase away the weepies!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I checked on my broody, and man was she cranky. I don't hear anything yet. I know she has at least 3 viable eggs, I was able to sneak a few out to candle several days ago. I got bit several times yesterday trying to clean up her broody poo. She made a mess in the nest. (not on the eggs, but still in the nest)