When to let her out

[Shadrach]

I meant to mention that there will come a time when Fabio will want to imprint the chicks.
This can look pretty scary.
When Barb decides it's time, she'll puff up but let Fabio come right up to the chicks. He'll drop his head so he's only centimeters from the chick and stare at them. He'll do this for each chick. He may even peck them gently. From that moment on he should be added protection for Barb and the chicks.

 

[DobieLover]

I meant to mention that there will come a time when Fabio will want to imprint the chicks.
This can look pretty scary.
When Barb decides it's time, she'll puff up but let Fabio come right up to the chicks. He'll drop his head so he's only centimeters from the chick and stare at them. He'll do this for each chick. He may even peck them gently. From that moment on he should be added protection for Barb and the chicks.

I remember reading that in one of your posts and you included pictures. So I will know what to look for. Thanks again, Shad.

 

[Mrs. K]

I WANT a BROODY HEN! Do you think if I show last years mother, she would get the idea?

True story, last year, I had a batch of chicks, and they were peeping, peeping like they do, and in the late after noon, running wild peeping peeping. All at once the rooster made a whistle and just jumped up and down in one spot. It got quiet, with just an occasional kind of quiet peep, I nearly died laughing.

 

[DobieLover]

I WANT a BROODY HEN! Do you think if I show last years mother, she would get the idea?

True story, last year, I had a batch of chicks, and they were peeping, peeping like they do, and in the late after noon, running wild peeping peeping. All at once the rooster made a whistle and just jumped up and down in one spot. It got quiet, with just an occasional kind of quiet peep, I nearly died laughing.

Be careful what you wish for! I wanted one. ONE. I ended up with three, one right after the other.
That's a funny story!

 

[Perris]

Be careful what you wish for!

absolutely! I've already let two have clutches this year and both got broody again and have had to do jail time, together with the one that had a clutch last year and decided more would be nice! I hate putting them in jail

 

[aart]

There are all kinds of ways to build a creep feeder.

Yup. Works great and gives chicks a place of shelter.
I use this for both broody chicks and bator chicks.
Hard to see but the 2x4 wire is squeezed to make every other opening bigger along the bottom.

 

[DobieLover]

absolutely! I've already let two have clutches this year and both got broody again and have had to do jail time, together with the one that had a clutch last year and decided more would be nice! I hate putting them in jail

I know. Because we have to control the population, we are forced to put them in "jail" for a perfectly natural behavior.

 

[Perris]

exactly; it really sucks