We have chicks! (see pg3)

[NovaAman]

if you can not move her, can you staple chicken wire and section her off? Thats what I have done in my coop. I stapled up poultry net in order to separate an area out just for her. It worked well.

 

[Peach2u]

This sounds like the right spot for my question. I have a broody buff orphangton my first broody. I have been stuffing eggs under her for 4 days now. She seemed happy to be there with something to do beside lay on golf balls. Today I went out and she moved over to the next nest box and a Maran was laying an egg in the pile. So I moved all the eggs back under buffy. As I was doing so she was happy and helping me stuff them back under. So should I move her to the chicken tractor so she can be alone or just let her hang out in the main coop. I have 12 hens and 6 boxes so plenty of room to spare? The tractor just isn't insulated and it is on the ground but it is very secure. Thanks!

 

[JusticeFamilyFarm]

Just based on my experience (right now) I would move her if you can- the earlier the better. It's actually best (I've now learned) to move them before you let them set the eggs you'll want them to hatch- move them with golf balls or dummy eggs, to see if they will stay broody even after the move. If they do, then you give them the real eggs. Is it still really cold where you live? Do you think the un-insulated tractor will be ok for living, or is it too cold? I'm in southern CA, and we basically had no winter this year, so it's plenty warm. I'd say if you think the tractor is warm enough and secure enough for her, then move her. I lost 3 of my 7 eggs- possibly because another hen ate them (also possibly because my broody ate them- no way to know for sure). Now I'm a mess waiting for my other 4 (I have peeps from 3!) to hatch

because she is in the coop and I'm afraid the other hens will hop up in the nest box and peck the chicks before I have a chance to move them. I am definitely moving them once they hatch.
NovaAman- thanks, I actually build a sectioned off broody condo in the coop, which is where I will move her once the chicks have hatch (and where I will move any future broody before I let her set eggs)- but I'm afraid to move her right now while the eggs are hatching. They still need to be under her for the duration of the pip, zip, hatch process, right? So I don't want her getting off the nest because she is confused about why I moved her. If I put up wire, she'll be in her nest box with no access to food or water and there isn't space enough to put them in with her (about a 15"x15" nest box).
***Now I have a new issue*** Do the broody hens "help" the chicks hatch? I was just down there and she was pecking at one of the pipped eggs (which now has quite a bit of membrane showing, since about 1/3 of the shell is gone). The chick is inside peeping away, but I don't know if she's helping (if it's normal) or hurting (wants to eat the egg... or worse the chick?!)??? This is stressful!

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

Well it looks like they pretty much covered it. Sorry about you chick ;(

 

[JusticeFamilyFarm]

Well it looks like they pretty much covered it. Sorry about you chick ;(

Thank you. But, I actually had another question about whether or not it's normal for the broody mama to "help" (or maybe she's hurting) the chicks hatch? I saw my broody peck at one of the pipped eggs. The chick is peeping, but I was worried it wasn't good for her to peck at it. Or maybe I should trust nature and hope she's doing what she's supposed to? I keep remembering hearing about bad mama hens who kill the babies once they hatch and it's freaking me out.

 

[mstricer]

Just watch how she acts around the chick. If it is the only chick left leave it with her, unless she hurts it, the chick will be lonely without someone. Your doing a great job. As for her helping, I don't have anything for that. I would just leave her be for a little while and see if you get a baby.

 

[JusticeFamilyFarm]

Just watch how she acts around the chick. If it is the only chick left leave it with her, unless she hurts it, the chick will be lonely without someone. Your doing a great job. As for her helping, I don't have anything for that. I would just leave her be for a little while and see if you get a baby.

OK, just went down there and one had hatched- but she was pecking at it. AT first I thought she was just eating the shell off it- fine- but she pecked at it's eye and that was it. I took that baby outta there. I hope I did the right thing. I was really hoping to leave them and let the broody raise them, but if she's not a good mama I can't make her be, right? Should I have left it longer to wait & see? I'll be going to down again soon to check on the other 3 eggs she's got left (one pipped, one peeping & one might be a no-hatcher)

 

[JusticeFamilyFarm]

OK, just went down there and one had hatched- but she was pecking at it. AT first I thought she was just eating the shell off it- fine- but she pecked at it's eye and that was it. I took that baby outta there. I hope I did the right thing. I was really hoping to leave them and let the broody raise them, but if she's not a good mama I can't make her be, right? Should I have left it longer to wait & see? I'll be going to down again soon to check on the other 3 eggs she's got left (one pipped, one peeping & one might be a no-hatcher)

Our first hatched chick died.

 

[mstricer]

I'm sorry

 

[Peach2u]

Sorry to hear that. I'm trying my first hatching too. Every egg candled with no life is disappointing