What went wrong? Maybe I'm just unlucky...

[AmyLynn2374]

In May I had 7 hens. This picture was taken about two months ago. There were 42 in this picture, and they have hatched about 25 more since then

Cotton Ball Alley.....lmao

 

[kymmandco]

Thanks again AmyLynn.
I appreciate your honesty too. Many in here tend to offer advice without any experience.
I have read so many books, posts etc. to learn everything I need to know, but as you can see in practice all-in-all I failed!
In theory it sounds so easy, but in reality this has been a rollercoaster ride of heartache, disappointment and occasional joy and it just keeps going and I can't get off, and stupidly I'm not sure I want to, lol.

I also take my hat off to scflock, for your success.
Silkies are just so cute and fluffy and you have so many of them. Love the picture!
Do you allow your hens to brood together? Is that better than separating and re-integrating later?

Here are my little fluffybuts...


I'm thinking of getting a Goldtop broody with 5 each Silkies and Goldtop chicks. They are advertised on a Preloved website for sale for just £40 the family.
The only thing that worries me is that Goldtops are continually broody and I'd hate to have to suspend them in a cage to break them every few weeks.
I have no roosters, losing all 4 to whatever beast smashed into my enclosure and so wont be breeding again for a while.
Will be better than working an incubator and all the stress that causes in future though and uses less electricity, lol
I'm guessing she won't be going broody again until Spring. It gets pretty cold here during Winter so they'll be spending much time huddled in flocks I suppose and not be laying anyway.

I have 2 dog cages I used to house the chicks and then hens when I first got them. One I already have off the ground by cable tying it to a fence, so will try that if gentle persuasion fails to break my broodies if no chicks hatch.


Will let you know how I get on.
Thank you both again.
Kymm.

 

[scflock]

Not everyone has success with broodies in the pen together, and my cuckoo marans will destroy chicks hatched in the pen. I learned that the hard way. My silkies, for whatever reason, have no issues. I never separate the broodies, and all ages, from day olds-three year olds all live in the same pen with no issues. The only time the harmony is ever broken is when the young roosters get old enough to crow or try to mate. Then the Alfa rooster will go after them

 

[kymmandco]

I managed to break Sophia.
It was actually easy, too easy. Was she even ever broody?
She only started nesting a couple of days after Isabella (her momma and only associate).
She never looked after her nest the way the others do and always came out some days two or three times but always returned to the nest box (with persuasion as she always tries to get in with Isabella first).

Now I have another problem...
Sophia tried to get in with Isabella after I removed her nest box, which I thought might be okay at first, but could see Isabella was getting stressed after a few minutes so removed Sophia back into the garden and after a few minutes headed back in but this time she crawled under Isabella like she always used to and Isabella stood to allow her under.
Sophia then kicked out the eggs from under Isabella and was pecking at them and Isabella didn't even flinch.
Obviously I then had to removed Isabella to the kennel I have prepared for when the little ones come (fingers crossed they hatch).
That by the way isn't my problem, this is...

I only have 1 large coop and 2 kennels (it's too cold at night now to use the cages).
With Venus and Isabella now brooding in my kennels, Sophia and Charlie will have to share the coop.
Sophia is very nasty and I fear will seriously hurt or even kill Charlie if I don't protect her, so what can I do?

Sophia is very noisy and angry without Isabella and as she doesn't like any other chickens took it out on my surviving pullet Charlie.
She attacked her several times ripping out her tail feathers but Charlie just got out the way. Then Sophia started chasing her, no matter where Charlie fled, Sophia followed, pecking and biting at her. Fearing for Charlie's safety, I moved her into a separate enclosure and come dusk had to lock her in her nest box (she roosts in a pet carrier to help keep her warm with no other friendly chickens to snuggle up to) and put her in the coop with Sophia running free, which I feel was cruel but necessary not wanting her to get hurt during the night.
She seemed fine this morning, Sophia ran outside into the enclosure, so obviously no longer in broody mode and I put Charlie in the neighbouring enclosure where she is happily roaming.

Here's one possible solution...
I could remove the eggs from under Isabella and put them under Venus who's eggs don't look like they will hatch she's now on day 25/26 and return Isabella to the coop with Sophia leaving me a kennel free to house Charlie in, safe and warm.
Is that playing God with chickens, or simply plain common sense.
I have to break at least one more broody anyway, so might as well keep the tried and tested one, I know will not sacrifice her babies for anything.

As much as I hate to deny Isabella the chance of motherhood, I also feel that, with Sophia around, the chicks would soon be run off anyway so she could have Isabella to herself and judging the way Isabella did nothing to save her eggs from Sophia wouldn't be able to protect them if/when they hatch and are far more vulnerable.
It really scared me, the way she rejected my 2 chicks, I was certain she would kill them as it took both myself and my daughter to save them from her vicious attacks.

The pros though are Venus who was a fantastic mother to my original babies taking on the overall care of all 11 hatchlings (2 died) after they came out of their nests, can again be a mum. She's just so loving and nurturing.
Sophia will be happy to have Isabella (her momma) back and hopefully shut the f**k up and calm down and maybe even leave my poor Charlie alone.
Charlie will have her own house and space, safe and warm, being allowed to get spoiled until we get her some new friends to play with.

PLEASE get back to me with the answer to this dilemma.
I've had such bad luck with chickens thus far and just want something to go right for once.
Thanks in advance.
Kymm.

 

[kymmandco]

VENUS IS A MOMMA!!!
Day 27 and she's happy and cooing to every peep.
Hopefully more will hatch, but 1 is better than none.

I was going to remove her eggs and replace with Isabella's yesterday but she refused to come out.
Now I know why.
Could have put this baby and her brothers and sisters in the bin (well actually was going to candle and incubate for a few days first, but know others in here who ditch on day 24.
So glad I waited.
Cant wait to see the little one now.

Venus ate the eggshell so wont be able to identify the natural parents as I put the hens' first initial on each egg to try and identify parents and not cross breed in future but never mind.
I'm a granny, lol.
Even more excited than when my 2 hand rear chicks hatched last week and maybe even more so than having my own 3 babies.

Please little one pop out your head soon so I can see you!
After all this heartache, something finally amazing has happened.
Calling him/her Miracle 'cause that's what he is.
Still hoping he won't be an only child, but even so he'll have my 2 chicks soon enough to play with so won't be lonely for long.

Just had to post this.
Will update again soon.
Bye for now.
Kymm.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

VENUS IS A MOMMA!!!
Day 27 and she's happy and cooing to every peep.
Hopefully more will hatch, but 1 is better than none.

I was going to remove her eggs and replace with Isabella's yesterday but she refused to come out.
Now I know why.
Could have put this baby and her brothers and sisters in the bin (well actually was going to candle and incubate for a few days first, but know others in here who ditch on day 24.
So glad I waited.
Cant wait to see the little one now.

Venus ate the eggshell so wont be able to identify the natural parents as I put the hens' first initial on each egg to try and identify parents and not cross breed in future but never mind.
I'm a granny, lol.
Even more excited than when my 2 hand rear chicks hatched last week and maybe even more so than having my own 3 babies.

Please little one pop out your head soon so I can see you!
After all this heartache, something finally amazing has happened.
Calling him/her Miracle 'cause that's what he is.
Still hoping he won't be an only child, but even so he'll have my 2 chicks soon enough to play with so won't be lonely for long.

Just had to post this.
Will update again soon.
Bye for now.
Kymm.

Congrats!

 

[kymmandco]

Thanks AmyLynn,
Maybe your recommended youtube video worked it's magic, and now I got my own little peeper out there to help the others into the world.
Thanks for your support and sharing your experience through your blog.
I'm still learning, but with a little help from people like you I'm getting there.
Take care.
Kymm.

 

[izziebean]

Hi Kymm! I'm new to the chicken stuff too. I got my first ones in March and it's been a tough road for me too. Before bringing the little things home, I had never really thought about the fact that chickens are 'birds' with 'WINGS' that FLAP LOUDLY!! It was probably during the first week, one of my polish just grew so fast. He flew up to roost on the side of the brooder. When he flapped his wings, I ran. Unfortunately, I was in a very small bathroom and as I turned around, I hit the door face first **SMACK** I just stood there.. against the door.. screaming sounds I've never made in my entire life. I finally made my way out of the room and cried. "What have I done", I kept asking myself. I ended up re-homing him and 4 others to a nice lady who still lets me come and visit from time to time. I wasn't ready for the flapping and I was deathly afraid of that bird. Now.. they can flap their wings in my face all day and I don't care. I've learned how to hold them and love them. Thinking back, though, it is SO OVERWHELMING at first. These adorable little creatures that are so fragile looking at you to keep them safe. It's a lot. Hang in there. You are doing great. You'll learn their little noises when they are hungry or want a treat. Mine make LOUD bawking noises if it has been too long since I've given them treats. I lost some, saved some, and had to sell some (beautiful roosters). Some of mine were mean. One frizzle I even named "mean bird".. but he ended up being pretty nice... I think. I re-homed him to a 4h kid who wanted to breed him out. Out of the 24, only 4 were hens. I have re-homed 16 roosters. On Monday, six more little ones arrive.. this time sex'd to be girls. The madness will begin again.

Take care. Just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. Congrats on the little one!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hi Kymm! I'm new to the chicken stuff too. I got my first ones in March and it's been a tough road for me too. Before bringing the little things home, I had never really thought about the fact that chickens are 'birds' with 'WINGS' that FLAP LOUDLY!! It was probably during the first week, one of my polish just grew so fast. He flew up to roost on the side of the brooder. When he flapped his wings, I ran. Unfortunately, I was in a very small bathroom and as I turned around, I hit the door face first **SMACK** I just stood there.. against the door.. screaming sounds I've never made in my entire life. I finally made my way out of the room and cried. "What have I done", I kept asking myself. I ended up re-homing him and 4 others to a nice lady who still lets me come and visit from time to time. I wasn't ready for the flapping and I was deathly afraid of that bird. Now.. they can flap their wings in my face all day and I don't care. I've learned how to hold them and love them. Thinking back, though, it is SO OVERWHELMING at first. These adorable little creatures that are so fragile looking at you to keep them safe. It's a lot. Hang in there. You are doing great. You'll learn their little noises when they are hungry or want a treat. Mine make LOUD bawking noises if it has been too long since I've given them treats. I lost some, saved some, and had to sell some (beautiful roosters). Some of mine were mean. One frizzle I even named "mean bird".. but he ended up being pretty nice... I think. I re-homed him to a 4h kid who wanted to breed him out. Out of the 24, only 4 were hens. I have re-homed 16 roosters. On Monday, six more little ones arrive.. this time sex'd to be girls. The madness will begin again.

Take care. Just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. Congrats on the little one!

24 and only 4 pullets? You poor soul! I don't nearly feel as bad about my hen/roo ratios now. lol Having to pick and choose which roosters go is the one thing I hate.

 

[kymmandco]

Thank you, izziebean.
They're addictive are they not?
I can't believe you continued to keep birds with your phobia, lol.
I'm pretty scared of them too, and hope I too can get over that.
It's just the little ones and I think I'm more afraid of hurting them than them me. They're just too cute and tiny and I'm jumpy and think I might freak and drop/throw them.
Big chickens I can pick up and hold knowing they can fly to safety if I mess up. My only problem is catching the little buggers, lol.

I agree with AmyLynn about your bad luck with pullet:roo ratios.
Apparently the heat controls sex. If it's above 38oC you get more roos, below this you get more pullets.
Maybe aim for early Spring or Autumn hatchings or set your incubator to 37.5oC/99.5oF.

I lost all 4 of my roos, but know how hard it is to choose between them.
I only planned on keeping 2, unfortunately I didn't get to choose.
I know 1 was going to a friend and another either to school or a local petting farm so none would be culled.
A shame the fox beat me to it, they were all so cute and had such different characters, luckily all were very friendly to each other and people. Maybe if I had an aggressive one he could have scared the fox away. I have 2 Border Collies so again unfortunately they didn't fear dogs either.

Good luck with your next batch of hopefully pullets.
Let me know how you get on with them.
Us beginners need to stick together and learn from each others mistakes.

Now for my update:
Both my hand rears look to be girls. 1 day old they had different length wing feathers and now at a week old (8 days) they are beginning to show signs of their crowns growing (from eyes to beak only, again indicating pullet).

Venus messed her nest not having been out for 5 days now and my spooking her trying to introduce my chicks.
Obviously I quickly had to change her bedding and got a massive surprise.
A new baby chick!!!
She now has 2 babies and the second egg was dated 14 August and from Isabella and Foxtrott (maybe Romeo) placed under her on the 15th so hatched day 28.
There's still hope for the others as I placed 3 days eggs under her on the 15th, the 14th being the earliest just stored overnight.
Now she's been fed and relieved herself she should be happy to sit a couple more days before taking her babies out giving the others chance to hatch out if they're going to..

I have also seen both chicks and have identified #1 as being her own and Marlon (maybe Romeo again, lol. He got around a bit but I did try to give each roo his own girl)
Isabella's chicks are slightly different. 1 Black and White the second Black and Yellow. Venus' are both blonde, speckled and identical).

No signs of life under Isabella as yet, but now more and more hopeful.
She's due today/tomorrow has been sitting very low for 2 days and only came out today to relieve herself really quickly.
She only has 6 eggs under her (4 good on day 16/17) and is a bigger bird than Venus so covers well.
Maybe I should have removed a couple of Venus' eggs (she had 10, 8 good, 1 possible and 1 discarded and clear so 9 total left under).
I did have Sophia on standby, but I didn't do it, so will use better judgement next time.
6 eggs per broody and stop playing God with chickens myself and only incubate abandoned eggs if necessary.

The broodies at least know what they are doing.
I also think I might have discarded a couple of viable's.
I didn't think the remaining eggs would hatch after my 2 chicks hatched on time within hours of each other, only allowing an extra couple of days for the other 3.
The only reason Venus still has her eggs for 28 and counting days was because I couldn't face breaking her and wanted to replace with a couple of Isabella's day olds when they hatch or eggs.
Yes, that's me playing God again, lol.

I think I'll take on scflock's signature advice and "Just leave 'em, they'll be fine"
Everything (well almost) I've read online and in books etc has steered me wrong.
Nature is nature, we always try to second guess it as is 'human nature' but at the end of the day we can't control it.
In future I'm just going to let things happen naturally and stop meddling.

Take care, good luck and thank you!
Kymm.