When it rains, it pours!

[Tired old Rooster]

On Friday, second day of the year, my Spindly, who just got done hatching and raising six chicks, decided she would go another round. I decided this time around to let her get on with it and see how it works out.

Today, just five days later, her sister Twiggy decided to bed down in the other nest for the night.
So, I set up a makeshift nest from an old round plastic tub, so there is somewhere else for Goofy and Henrietta to lay their eggs.
I have no idea what I am gonna do if I end up with a dozen chicks appearing.

 

[Shadrach]

On Friday, second day of the year, my Spindly, who just got done hatching and raising six chicks, decided she would go another round. I decided this time around to let her get on with it and see how it works out.

Today, just five days later, her sister Twiggy decided to bed down in the other nest for the night.
So, I set up a makeshift nest from an old round plastic tub, so there is somewhere else for Goofy and Henrietta to lay their eggs.
I have no idea what I am gonna do if I end up with a dozen chicks appearing.

That broodiness business spreads faster than bird flu.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Lucky! I would be stoked to have just one broody hen right now! I have a couple hens in a pen with a rooster and I keep hoping one of the girls gets the idea haha

 

[2ndTink]

Lucky! I would be stoked to have just one broody hen right now! I have a couple hens in a pen with a rooster and I keep hoping one of the girls gets the idea haha

Just get a few silkies

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Just get a few silkies

I’ve never had any and never plan too. Not because they’re not cool looking or I don’t like broody chickens, they just seem so high-maintenance. They’re probably not as bad as I imagine. They don’t sound like they would handle my no-fuss free-range style though

 

[2ndTink]

I’ve never had any and never plan too. Not because they’re not cool looking or I don’t like broody chickens, they just seem so high-maintenance. They’re probably not as bad as I imagine. They don’t sound like they would handle my no-fuss free-range style though

I have a silkie x EE cross hen that is bigger than a silkie, normal smooth feathers, only lightly feathered on the legs and outer toe, and has a reasonable amount of broodiness. She's a great mother too!

She hangs with all the big girls, and is a really great layer through the winter.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have a silkie x EE cross hen that is bigger than a silkie, normal smooth feathers, only lightly feathered on the legs and outer toe, and has a reasonable amount of broodiness. She's a great mother too!

EEs are like the Frank’s Red Hot of chickens—they make every breed better

 

[2ndTink]

EEs are like the Frank’s Red Hot of chickens—they make every breed better

I can't disagree with that!

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Update:

So, Spindly and Twiggy are both in the semi dosing state. They are all caged in, to keep the others from laying in their nests and I set up a new nest in the only remaining space that was viable, in the corner, under the ramp .
Thanks to which, retrieving the eggs allows me to practice that rare Kung-Fu discipline, known as crouching polar bear with serving spoon.

I expect chicks to start erupting under Spindly, around 23 January, with Twiggy being due a few days after (4 to 5). If Spindly abandons her nest as per protocol and there are still some eggs, I though I might candle them quickly and if any look good, try popping them under Twiggy. Any advice on that would be most appreciated. As I have no incubator, that is the best plan I can think of.

 

[2ndTink]

Thanks to which, retrieving the eggs allows me to practice that rare Kung-Fu discipline, known as crouching polar bear with serving spoon.

ah, I know this one well. Trying to retrieve eggs from under the very back corner of the one coop where my wise birds believe to be the best nesting spot

I don't have advice on the broody situation. I have always used incubators. Any chance there is someone around you with one you could borrow if needed?