Good idea Lucky1 :) Hatching your own chicks using fertile eggs.. the hows whys and whatever else , any info welcome, please :)

I’ve made a little pen for Mum 2 on the patio , covered and safe from other animals. Tonight I will move the chook and her eggs to the temp’ pen. Bantam Mum1 came back and resumed sitting and is again sitting on dud fresh eggs so I will take her eggs away, she’s a ditherer and doesn’t know what she wants so she can stay in the main pen.

It is better to have your sitter separate from the other hens for two reasons. The hen can sit undisturbed and new eggs aren’t being added to the clutch which may result in the preferred eggs being pushed out, and the newly hatched chicks are not under threat from the other chooks or have their crumble stolen. Having said that I don’t like to move hens once they are sitting so the earlier you can do that the better. A determined broody will sit fast no matter what! I have left a hen sitting on eggs in with the other chooks, but as soon as the eggs are hatched and mum has left the nest site I move them into their own cage.

Currently I have on hen with 2 five week old chicks and one with 12 one week old chicks. The first hen had a lot more eggs to start with and was sitting in the main chook pen while we were away. Gradually the eggs kept disappearing for unknown reasons, I suspect a local pair of crows. The second hen sat out in a secure corner of the garden. I was going to try and move her but she would not budge and she was protected by thorny climbing rose brambles so I let her be. I moved them into a separate cage once they hatched.

good topic
- the chicks hatched now produce eggs out of season too.
i have a broody little bantam and probably should try to isolate it with some of my eggs since i’ve got a rooster.
last time i tried ‘charlotte’ (grumpy old 2nd In Command) was not amused by being isolated from the rest. she got up and stomped around, squawked and left the eggs. charlotte’s mum ‘cornla’ has raised two or three broods about 10 years ago. she was a very persistent sitter.

the trouble with being an expectant mum is that everyone else is out having dustbaths with the rooster. sometimes even new holland honey eaters get tired of just sitting.

pepe said:

the trouble with being an expectant mum is that everyone else is out having dustbaths with the rooster. sometimes even new holland honey eaters get tired of just sitting.

I wonder how it would go if you put the honeyeater egg under one of the chooks?

Cuppa, then finishing work on the little spare chookie pen. Hubby has to unroll a roll of wire and place that ,then we’re all set to grab her tonight and do the move.

Happy Potter said:

Cuppa, then finishing work on the little spare chookie pen. Hubby has to unroll a roll of wire and place that ,then we’re all set to grab her tonight and do the move.

————-

i’ll do the same – move nest, straw, 6 eggs, broody and all just before dark.
i’ve got two bob says they’ll not like being separate.

Glad you started this thread HP:) I ended up ringing her and had a lovely chat:D

Hot Lips is happy as a clam in am old rabbit hutch in the duck shed. Can’t wait for the 21 days and so hope for some little chicks:D

pepe said:

Happy Potter said:

Cuppa, then finishing work on the little spare chookie pen. Hubby has to unroll a roll of wire and place that ,then we’re all set to grab her tonight and do the move.

————-

i’ll do the same – move nest, straw, 6 eggs, broody and all just before dark.
i’ve got two bob says they’ll not like being separate.

broody chook is now in her retreat. she likes the individual servings of wheat and fresh water. we’ll see what happens in the morning.

pepe said:

Happy Potter said:

Cuppa, then finishing work on the little spare chookie pen. Hubby has to unroll a roll of wire and place that ,then we’re all set to grab her tonight and do the move.

————-

i’ll do the same – move nest, straw, 6 eggs, broody and all just before dark.
i’ve got two bob says they’ll not like being separate.

I once had Banjo, Bonnie & Clyde hatch out duck eggs ….. that was funny watching the 3 mother them.

pepe said:

pepe said:

Happy Potter said:

Cuppa, then finishing work on the little spare chookie pen. Hubby has to unroll a roll of wire and place that ,then we’re all set to grab her tonight and do the move.

————-

i’ll do the same – move nest, straw, 6 eggs, broody and all just before dark.
i’ve got two bob says they’ll not like being separate.

broody chook is now in her retreat. she likes the individual servings of wheat and fresh water. we’ll see what happens in the morning.

Hope all goes well with the shifts both to Pepe & HP

Lucky1 said:

Glad you started this thread HP:) I ended up ringing her and had a lovely chat:D

Hot Lips is happy as a clam in am old rabbit hutch in the duck shed. Can’t wait for the 21 days and so hope for some little chicks:D

Lovely to talk to you too :D Some questions.. With your rabbit hutch broody home, is she shut in for the duration? When will the chicks be out and about following their mum and eating crumbles? And, how old do the chicks have to be before I can put them in the main chookhouse? Thats assuming all goes well and I actually get chicks hatching. We’ve finished the temporary pen and are about to move her. We put some tarp up 1 mt around the wire cage so Max doesn’t keep sticking his nose through and scaring the hen, and she can’t see out. Food and water containers in place.

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Glad you started this thread HP:) I ended up ringing her and had a lovely chat:D

Hot Lips is happy as a clam in am old rabbit hutch in the duck shed. Can’t wait for the 21 days and so hope for some little chicks:D

Lovely to talk to you too :D Some questions.. With your rabbit hutch broody home, is she shut in for the duration?

Yes she’s safe and sound with an area for food & water and a walk round.

When will the chicks be out and about following their mum and eating crumbles?

I like them to stay in for a week or so. That way they are strong enough to run for cover if a bird is annoying them

And, how old do the chicks have to be before I can put them in the main chookhouse? Thats assuming all goes well and I actually get chicks hatching.

When they are big enough to handle the hen pecking order. Usually a couple of months old. But hey I’m a sook when it comes to animals LOL

We’ve finished the temporary pen and are about to move her. We put some tarp up 1 mt around the wire cage so Max doesn’t keep sticking his nose through and scaring the hen, and she can’t see out. Food and water containers in place.

Lucky1 said:

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Glad you started this thread HP:) I ended up ringing her and had a lovely chat:D

Hot Lips is happy as a clam in am old rabbit hutch in the duck shed. Can’t wait for the 21 days and so hope for some little chicks:D

Lovely to talk to you too :D Some questions.. With your rabbit hutch broody home, is she shut in for the duration?

Yes she’s safe and sound with an area for food & water and a walk round.

When will the chicks be out and about following their mum and eating crumbles?

I like them to stay in for a week or so. That way they are strong enough to run for cover if a bird is annoying them

And, how old do the chicks have to be before I can put them in the main chookhouse? Thats assuming all goes well and I actually get chicks hatching.

When they are big enough to handle the hen pecking order. Usually a couple of months old. But hey I’m a sook when it comes to animals LOL

We’ve finished the temporary pen and are about to move her. We put some tarp up 1 mt around the wire cage so Max doesn’t keep sticking his nose through and scaring the hen, and she can’t see out. Food and water containers in place.

Ok , cool :D I have a penned area about 1.5 sq mt with an old toybox nestbox in it, with a doorway cut out the front of it, another box on top to make sure its cosy for her and an old curtain over the top of them with a brick to weight them, making sure nothing blows apart in gale winds. I think when I move her I might pop something over the doorway so she settles quickly, then take it away in the morning.

Happy Potter said:

Some questions.. With your rabbit hutch broody home, is she shut in for the duration? When will the chicks be out and about following their mum and eating crumbles? And, how old do the chicks have to be before I can put them in the main chookhouse? Thats assuming all goes well and I actually get chicks hatching. We’ve finished the temporary pen and are about to move her. We put some tarp up 1 mt around the wire cage so Max doesn’t keep sticking his nose through and scaring the hen, and she can’t see out. Food and water containers in place.

I use a large rabbit hutch for my broody hen and chicks too. The chicks are eating crumbles from day 2. Depending on the number of chicks they stay in there as long as I can, but as they get older I let them out for short supervised forages. I generally let them have free range when they have lost all their fluff, about 5 weeks. They are pretty fast at this stage. As for introducing them to the main pen, it depends on whether I am keeping them or not. One clutch the mum decided to move them in herself! It is good for them to have some hidey holes that the big chooks can’t get to when you do.

Happy Potter said:

Ok , cool :D I have a penned area about 1.5 sq mt with an old toybox nestbox in it, with a doorway cut out the front of it, another box on top to make sure its cosy for her and an old curtain over the top of them with a brick to weight them, making sure nothing blows apart in gale winds. I think when I move her I might pop something over the doorway so she settles quickly, then take it away in the morning.

sounds good :)

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Ok , cool :D I have a penned area about 1.5 sq mt with an old toybox nestbox in it, with a doorway cut out the front of it, another box on top to make sure its cosy for her and an old curtain over the top of them with a brick to weight them, making sure nothing blows apart in gale winds. I think when I move her I might pop something over the doorway so she settles quickly, then take it away in the morning.

sounds good :)

I agree:)

be careful that the water you supply for the chicks is not deep enough to fall in and drown. Either put pebbles in it or only have a small access so that they can put their head in and drink but not get in.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Ok , cool :D I have a penned area about 1.5 sq mt with an old toybox nestbox in it, with a doorway cut out the front of it, another box on top to make sure its cosy for her and an old curtain over the top of them with a brick to weight them, making sure nothing blows apart in gale winds. I think when I move her I might pop something over the doorway so she settles quickly, then take it away in the morning.

sounds good :)

Thanks BG too, all good advice from you all :D
Righto on the hidey holes in the main pen, I have rocks/ bricks in there I can make hidey spots with.

bluegreen said:

be careful that the water you supply for the chicks is not deep enough to fall in and drown. Either put pebbles in it or only have a small access so that they can put their head in and drink but not get in.

Ok! .. and I’d used a 2 lt ice cream container. I’ll change it to a shallower one in a minute.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

be careful that the water you supply for the chicks is not deep enough to fall in and drown. Either put pebbles in it or only have a small access so that they can put their head in and drink but not get in.

Ok! .. and I’d used a 2 lt ice cream container. I’ll change it to a shallower one in a minute.

your hen will be OK for now, but you will need something safer for the chicks when they hatch.

see the waterer hanging in the chook house here. They come in different sizes. I have a small one for newly hatched chicks. The part where the water lies is too narrow for them to climb in. I got it from a pet supply store. As they get bigger they can have more open water containers, but it is heart breaking to come across a drowned chick. Mum cannot pull them out and it is very distressing for her. Even if they do get out themselves they become chilled and may die anyway.

bluegreen said:

see the waterer hanging in the chook house here. They come in different sizes. I have a small one for newly hatched chicks. The part where the water lies is too narrow for them to climb in. I got it from a pet supply store. As they get bigger they can have more open water containers, but it is heart breaking to come across a drowned chick. Mum cannot pull them out and it is very distressing for her. Even if they do get out themselves they become chilled and may die anyway.

Yes I saw that :) I think I might get a smaller free standing one. I don’t want to be hatching chickens again in a hurry lol, unless I get low on layers.

Done and dusted, moved the hen off the eggs, put the same straw into the toybox, moved her nesting straw in and eggs, covered with an old towel and quickly took her to the new area. She didn’t even wake up ,not even a peep!

I had marked Mum2 with a texta so I knew which one to grab (as Mum 1 had come back and was sitting next to her on dud eggs) M1 became broody only a week ago and she’s the one in the little pen with the 6 eggs and sitting pretty :)

This chook maternity stuff is tiring.. I’ll be asleep myself in 15 mins.
Happy that went easier than I thought :D

I had marked Mum2 with a texta so I knew which one to grab (as Mum 1 had come back and was sitting next to her on dud eggs) M1 became broody only a week ago and she’s the one in the little pen with the 6 eggs and sitting pretty :)

————————————————————-
errr correction, it’s mum2 on the eggs ..
tired..yawnnnnnnnnn
zzzzz ni ni’s

Wrings hands together……. well….?? Hops from one foot to the other…..well???

Pacing the floor…….don’t even have a skinny coke in the house…so I can’t drink as I wait…..sigh

Lucky1 said:

Pacing the floor…….don’t even have a skinny coke in the house…so I can’t drink as I wait…..sigh

Oh lol! sorry I was outside cleaning up.. the hen is sitting tight on the eggs and all is well :D I put fresh water and food in her little resort.

Lucky1 said:

Wrings hands together……. well….?? Hops from one foot to the other…..well???

—————
mumchook is sitting quietly observing the world from her loft retreat. i think the advice to move nest and all was a great clue. thanks.

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Pacing the floor…….don’t even have a skinny coke in the house…so I can’t drink as I wait…..sigh

Oh lol! sorry I was outside cleaning up.. the hen is sitting tight on the eggs and all is well :D I put fresh water and food in her little resort.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy….. transfer successful :D

pepe said:

Lucky1 said:

Wrings hands together……. well….?? Hops from one foot to the other…..well???

—————
mumchook is sitting quietly observing the world from her loft retreat. i think the advice to move nest and all was a great clue. thanks.

Yayyyyy another happy mum to be……

Lurv happy stories:D

water is in the sun – must go and change.
21days to egg pop – 8 weeks on their own. by the time they are ready to mingle it will be new year. the chooks will be moved to an old garden by then – plenty of places to hide.
advice has been great thanks – fingers crossed.

Good luck Pepe & HP with the prospects of little baby chickens later this month….oh and for me too:D

Lucky1 said:

Good luck Pepe & HP with the prospects of little baby chickens later this month….oh and for me too:D

Thanks and good luck to yours too.
Fun thread. Lets hope we all have good news at months end :)

I’m enjoying this thread even though I don’t have chooks!

The chicken hasn’t budged off the nest for a drink..how long can they go without water??

Happy Potter said:

The chicken hasn’t budged off the nest for a drink..how long can they go without water??

don’t worry about it. they can deprive themselves for quite a long time, and will do lightening visits when they need to. you should see the size of the poos they do when they go after holding on for a day or so!

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

The chicken hasn’t budged off the nest for a drink..how long can they go without water??

don’t worry about it. they can deprive themselves for quite a long time, and will do lightening visits when they need to. you should see the size of the poos they do when they go after holding on for a day or so!

Ohhhh, I don’t want to have to clean that up lol!

Happy Potter said:

The chicken hasn’t budged off the nest for a drink..how long can they go without water??

same here – mumchook had no food or drink yesterday – but is looking alert.

Hot Lips isn’t looking too good this morning…..she’s fine, but her eggs are not as tight under her this morning. Cold here too. Hoping she doesn’t spread them out too far around her nest.

Might be more the eggs than the chook? She might “know” something…

What breed is HotLips, and how many eggs is she sitting on…?

Love this thread…

Dinetta said:

Might be more the eggs than the chook? She might “know” something…

What breed is HotLips, and how many eggs is she sitting on…?

Love this thread…

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

Lucky1 said:

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

I think you might be on to something there…it could be too “busy” for HotLips and she might be worried about the safety of her clutch??

Lucky1 said:

Dinetta said:

Might be more the eggs than the chook? She might “know” something…

What breed is HotLips, and how many eggs is she sitting on…?

Love this thread…

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

Yes do that.
Mum2 is sitting tight as. I moved her nesting box a little further away from the house wall so I could put her water container within her sight. She didn’t budge.

Dinetta said:

Lucky1 said:

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

I think you might be on to something there…it could be too “busy” for HotLips and she might be worried about the safety of her clutch??

Yep after check on her 15 mins ago… all eggs are back under her and she happy again.

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Dinetta said:

Might be more the eggs than the chook? She might “know” something…

What breed is HotLips, and how many eggs is she sitting on…?

Love this thread…

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

Yes do that.
Mum2 is sitting tight as. I moved her nesting box a little further away from the house wall so I could put her water container within her sight. She didn’t budge.

Oh I so lurv this thread……. make me all clucky……lol

We’ll be so happy when its finished though… all that “fun” stress……

Lucky1 said:

Dinetta said:

Lucky1 said:

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

I think you might be on to something there…it could be too “busy” for HotLips and she might be worried about the safety of her clutch??

Yep after check on her 15 mins ago… all eggs are back under her and she happy again.

Oh good! I can see mum2 peeking out of her nest box , through my pc desk window

Dinetta said:

Lucky1 said:

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

I think you might be on to something there…it could be too “busy” for HotLips and she might be worried about the safety of her clutch??

they do prefer a nice quiet spot

I had a call from the fellow who sold me the fertile eggs, just checking all is well. Had my chook gone off broody and the eggs wasted, he would have sent me more for next time.
I thought that was nice of him :)

bluegreen said:

Dinetta said:

Lucky1 said:

HI Dinetta, Hot Lips is a Light Sussex Bantam. One from Bluegreen. Its her first sitting.

I’m thinking of moving her and the cage tonight in the dark up onto the veranda. I am wondering if the ducks & Kelly upset her in the mornings, ducking and chooking waiting for the door to be opened.

I think you might be on to something there…it could be too “busy” for HotLips and she might be worried about the safety of her clutch??

they do prefer a nice quiet spot

mumchook is a good sitter. she seems to hardly move and to be living in happy dreams. she’s warm, has the place all to herself and is looking content. she’s probably dreaming of four little well behaved chicks. i fear four loutish young roosters.

pepe said:

I fear four loutish young roosters.

…you can eat those…

pepe said:

mumchook is a good sitter. she seems to hardly move and to be living in happy dreams. she’s warm, has the place all to herself and is looking content. she’s probably dreaming of four little well behaved chicks. i fear four loutish young roosters.

I swear when they are broody they must be producing some sort of euphoric hormone, otherwise why would they sit for 3 weeks straight like that?

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

mumchook is a good sitter. she seems to hardly move and to be living in happy dreams. she’s warm, has the place all to herself and is looking content. she’s probably dreaming of four little well behaved chicks. i fear four loutish young roosters.

I swear when they are broody they must be producing some sort of euphoric hormone, otherwise why would they sit for 3 weeks straight like that?

I reckon they’re tuning in to their instincts…or maybe they have their own little inbred iPod? lol!

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

mumchook is a good sitter. she seems to hardly move and to be living in happy dreams. she’s warm, has the place all to herself and is looking content. she’s probably dreaming of four little well behaved chicks. i fear four loutish young roosters.

I swear when they are broody they must be producing some sort of euphoric hormone, otherwise why would they sit for 3 weeks straight like that?

they do get broody in spring. it’s cold, rainy and windy and sitting on a nest is good. the rest of them are preening themselves indoors today. morning BG.

Theres trouble at the station..well was..
Mum2 chook decided all of a sudden she’s had enough of this sitting and wanted out. She left the eggs and was up on a pot plant looking for a way out, but her pen is all netted. I was watching to see what she would do ,peeking thru a curtain, and it looked like she wasn’t going to resume sitting, she was eating grain and drinking.

I went out to her and she started squawking her head off . I felt the eggs and they were still very warm.. then she went back in and sat in the doorway but not quite sitting on the eggs. So I lifted her and placed her back on them and there she remains, hasn’t moved since. This was about an hour ago. If she got up again I was thinking I’d have to put her back in the main pen and grab the next broody (Mum1 still sitting on the daily eggs from the Isa browns)
I’m checking her often, she can’t see me though.

Why did she do that ?

>i fear four loutish young roosters.

If they don’t behave they get to feel the blade of your axe….

mumchook is a good sitter. she seems to hardly move and to be living in happy dreams. she’s warm, has the place all to herself and is looking content. she’s probably dreaming of four little well behaved chicks. i fear four loutish young roosters.
——————————————
Maybe you could pipe girlie music into her house…… ??????? ;P

Lucky1 said:

mumchook is a good sitter. she seems to hardly move and to be living in happy dreams. she’s warm, has the place all to herself and is looking content. she’s probably dreaming of four little well behaved chicks. i fear four loutish young roosters.
——————————————
Maybe you could pipe girlie music into her house…… ??????? ;P

————————
chuckle – i don’t have the power in her loft – worth considering if i make a habit of breeding chooks.
as for giving the roosters the chop – i might need a stiff rum if it comes down to that.

mumchook has demolished some wheat overnight so she’s fine.
she’s one of the hens my daughter swapped with others so she has no name as yet.

The chooks still sitting tight on her clutch of eggs. I’ve no idea what happened yesterday with her lil spat, leaving the eggs, but going back in after a few long mins. Keeping a close eye on her today.

Happy Potter said:

The chooks still sitting tight on her clutch of eggs. I’ve no idea what happened yesterday with her lil spat, leaving the eggs, but going back in after a few long mins. Keeping a close eye on her today.

they can leave them for short times without harm.

The Broodie still needs to eat and drink, But normally will sit tight on the last three days.

All is well in the chook maternity pen here. She is sitting steadfast and hasn’t had any inclination to try and ‘fly the coop’ again. 2 weeks to go still lol..

Down to 1 egg now. Hot Lips has kicked 4 out and we cold as:(

Lucky1 said:

Down to 1 egg now. Hot Lips has kicked 4 out and we cold as:(

Aw :(
Why do they do that .. do they know the eggs are not viable perhaps ?

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Down to 1 egg now. Hot Lips has kicked 4 out and we cold as:(

Aw :(
Why do they do that .. do they know the eggs are not viable perhaps ?

I have no idea……..its her first sitting.

Lucky1 said:

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Down to 1 egg now. Hot Lips has kicked 4 out and we cold as:(

Aw :(
Why do they do that .. do they know the eggs are not viable perhaps ?

I have no idea……..its her first sitting.

With Mum’s hens, sometimes the first sitting was pretty much a trial run and the chookie would go on to be a good brooder (?) over the years…however, sometimes that chook would end up with china eggs under her as she got into the habit of not completing a sitting for whatever reasons…she’d be locked away where she couldn’t get to any more eggs and eventually the broodiness would pass…until the next time…

It’s a shame tho’, getting all hopeful…

Dinetta said:

Lucky1 said:

Happy Potter said:

Aw :(
Why do they do that .. do they know the eggs are not viable perhaps ?

I have no idea……..its her first sitting.

With Mum’s hens, sometimes the first sitting was pretty much a trial run and the chookie would go on to be a good brooder (?) over the years…however, sometimes that chook would end up with china eggs under her as she got into the habit of not completing a sitting for whatever reasons…she’d be locked away where she couldn’t get to any more eggs and eventually the broodiness would pass…until the next time…

It’s a shame tho’, getting all hopeful…

I wasn’t holding out for a big hatching, being her first. Bonnie & Clyde were such great brooders and FABBER TABBER mums.

my little darling is behaving like a silent broody and all is well.
how many sets of broodies have you got lucky? – i seem to have missed wats happening at your place.

my broodie is packed up for the reason got 22 chickens out of her, may get her back out and set a few wyndotte eggs.

veg gardener said:

my broodie is packed up for the reason got 22 chickens out of her, may get her back out and set a few wyndotte eggs.

amazing

pepe said:

veg gardener said:

my broodie is packed up for the reason got 22 chickens out of her, may get her back out and set a few wyndotte eggs.

amazing

just got to get dad to let me, hopping to get a bigger broodie for next breeding season with all the New Hampshires and Wyndottes ill be breeding for shows.

veg gardener said:

pepe said:

veg gardener said:

my broodie is packed up for the reason got 22 chickens out of her, may get her back out and set a few wyndotte eggs.

amazing

just got to get dad to let me, hopping to get a bigger broodie for next breeding season with all the New Hampshires and Wyndottes ill be breeding for shows.

bigger? – can any chook fit more than 22 eggs under her??

Did I tell you all Hot Lips is back in the hen run and 5 eggs waiting for bin collection on Tuesday???? She tried and she’s only a young’en.

pepe said:

veg gardener said:

pepe said:

amazing

just got to get dad to let me, hopping to get a bigger broodie for next breeding season with all the New Hampshires and Wyndottes ill be breeding for shows.

bigger? – can any chook fit more than 22 eggs under her??

The Incubator can this one can hold 36-46eggs depends on egg size.

now 3 weeks old, I am letting them out for short forages. They don’t stray far from mum.

With these pekin crosses, I can tell the boys from the girls already and if they only stayed still long enough I could work out how many of each! The boy’s combs are bigger and have more colour in them.

bluegreen said:

now 3 weeks old, I am letting them out for short forages. They don’t stray far from mum.

With these pekin crosses, I can tell the boys from the girls already and if they only stayed still long enough I could work out how many of each! The boy’s combs are bigger and have more colour in them.

You and the mother hen are doing something right there, BlueGreen…they look strong and healthy…

Dinetta said:

You and the mother hen are doing something right there, BlueGreen…they look strong and healthy…

thanks Dinetta. One thing that can be said for Pekin bantams – they make excellent mothers!

bluegreen said:

now 3 weeks old, I am letting them out for short forages. They don’t stray far from mum.

With these pekin crosses, I can tell the boys from the girls already and if they only stayed still long enough I could work out how many of each! The boy’s combs are bigger and have more colour in them.

10 baby chickens????? That is what I counted…. so cute,

Lucky1 said:

12 actually, but you try and get them all in one photo!

10 baby chickens????? That is what I counted…. so cute,

try again…

Lucky1 said:

10 baby chickens????? That is what I counted…. so cute,

12 actually, but you try and get them all in one photo!

bluegreen said:

try again…

Lucky1 said:

10 baby chickens????? That is what I counted…. so cute,

12 actually, but you try and get them all in one photo!

actually they are all in the photo, but you can only see the head of one out from behind mum on the left, and the back of another just behind her on the right…

Lucky1 said:

bluegreen said:

now 3 weeks old, I am letting them out for short forages. They don’t stray far from mum.

With these pekin crosses, I can tell the boys from the girls already and if they only stayed still long enough I could work out how many of each! The boy’s combs are bigger and have more colour in them.

10 baby chickens????? That is what I counted…. so cute,

they look a good brood – congrats – pekins cross eh.
one week to go for my lot.

bluegreen said:

now 3 weeks old, I am letting them out for short forages. They don’t stray far from mum.

With these pekin crosses, I can tell the boys from the girls already and if they only stayed still long enough I could work out how many of each! The boy’s combs are bigger and have more colour in them.

Awwww. A lovely little family. All white and new looking.

bluegreen said:

Lucky1 said:

12 actually, but you try and get them all in one photo!

10 baby chickens????? That is what I counted…. so cute,

LOL they must be soooooooooooooooo much fun to watch:D

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

Happy Potter said:

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

good come a bit early or a bit late. should here Peeping thursday friday?

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

good come a bit early or a bit late. should here Peeping thursday friday?

Ooohh too cool!
I’ll wipe my calendar clean for the event! lol

Happy Potter said:

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

good come a bit early or a bit late. should here Peeping thursday friday?

Ooohh too cool!
I’ll wipe my calendar clean for the event! lol

Really Depends on if she sat on them all at once or one every day.

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

good come a bit early or a bit late. should here Peeping thursday friday?

Yep, from what I can remember of my mother’s hens…soooooooo eggsiting HP! Mum used to keep them in a “chook Tractor” (but we didn’t call it that), after hatching, to keep them away from the main chickens…

Happy Potter said:

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

give or take a day. hatching can go over a couple of days.

Dinetta said:

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

Not long to go now :D :D The mum chook has been sitting tight. Do they take exactly 21 days to start hatching?? If so, that’s this friday.

good come a bit early or a bit late. should here Peeping thursday friday?

Yep, from what I can remember of my mother’s hens…soooooooo eggsiting HP! Mum used to keep them in a “chook Tractor” (but we didn’t call it that), after hatching, to keep them away from the main chickens…

Yes I’m eggcited :D
I’ll be moving them when they are a week or two old to the rear of the fernery. Made a special fenced area for them there.. otherwise they are too close to the house living area and might smell.

I already have a taker for any males too, great :)

I already have a taker for any males too, great :)

Hmmmmmmm Chicken soup

Rook said:

I already have a taker for any males too, great :)

Hmmmmmmm Chicken soup

I am in a quandary.
Shall I keep my bantam males for meat – won’t be much meat on them but would be good for chicken soup, yes? I found I can sell them easily at the local market’s chook auction so it is not like I have a problem disposing of them. But we are only on one income now so maybe I should be thinking more about going that one step further to self sufficiency. Hmmm. Wonder if one of the ducks will go broody this year…?

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

I’m guessing ..but put crumbles in anyway as my mum chook is eating them on her dashes out for food.
I have an old bread container for water , little larger than a brick, so I will put a cleaned brick in it soon. But I wonder if thats too high for the chicks to reach…

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

I’m guessing ..but put crumbles in anyway as my mum chook is eating them on her dashes out for food.
I have an old bread container for water , little larger than a brick, so I will put a cleaned brick in it soon. But I wonder if thats too high for the chicks to reach…

ta – if the mum eats them i must go get some now.
my feed/watering bowl is an elcheapo double plastic bowl thingy. its very shallow – probably 50-75mm. i think as long as they can’t drown they will be able to climb into it.
- the worries of being a potential parent are overwhelming eh HP?

pepe said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

I’m guessing ..but put crumbles in anyway as my mum chook is eating them on her dashes out for food.
I have an old bread container for water , little larger than a brick, so I will put a cleaned brick in it soon. But I wonder if thats too high for the chicks to reach…

ta – if the mum eats them i must go get some now.
my feed/watering bowl is an elcheapo double plastic bowl thingy. its very shallow – probably 50-75mm. i think as long as they can’t drown they will be able to climb into it.
- the worries of being a potential parent are overwhelming eh HP?

I’ve got more grey hair! lol
The girls wanted to go try on bridesmaids dresses this saturday , and my try on my outfit , but I said can we make it the following sat.. I got chicks hatching! I got rolling eyes in reply lol.
So next sat it is :)
I haven’t gotten to a pet shop for a waterer yet , and a feeder for the fussys in the main pen, but I prolly will tomorrow.

pepe said:

my feed/watering bowl is an elcheapo double plastic bowl thingy. its very shallow – probably 50-75mm. i think as long as they can’t drown they will be able to climb into it.
- the worries of being a potential parent are overwhelming eh HP?

In my experience of my mother’s chooks, if the chicks can climb into it, they will drown…you are better with about a 1” bowl filled with pebbles so that if the chicks do get into it, they can get out again from the inside, if that makes sense? The little blighters can stand on the edge of their water and trap themselves when it flips over…you don’t need a fancy water dropper, just have something set up so MumChook can drink to her satisfaction, but the chickies can climb out again if they fall in (and they will)…chickens are incredibly naive (to the point of stupidity) when they first come into the world…in the wild, they probably drink from a creek edge or something…

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

my feed/watering bowl is an elcheapo double plastic bowl thingy. its very shallow – probably 50-75mm. i think as long as they can’t drown they will be able to climb into it.
- the worries of being a potential parent are overwhelming eh HP?

In my experience of my mother’s chooks, if the chicks can climb into it, they will drown…you are better with about a 1” bowl filled with pebbles so that if the chicks do get into it, they can get out again from the inside, if that makes sense? The little blighters can stand on the edge of their water and trap themselves when it flips over…you don’t need a fancy water dropper, just have something set up so MumChook can drink to her satisfaction, but the chickies can climb out again if they fall in (and they will)…chickens are incredibly naive (to the point of stupidity) when they first come into the world…in the wild, they probably drink from a creek edge or something…

oh gourd!
let them drown – exterminate their kind!
no wait – they lay eggs.
ok – 25mm it is – i’ve got pebbles.
thanks.

pepe said:

oh gourd!
let them drown – exterminate their kind!
no wait – they lay eggs.
ok – 25mm it is – i’ve got pebbles.
thanks.

LOL @ Pepe! It’s only for a week! They grow fast and are quick “studies” as the Yanks would say…

Happy Potter said:

I’ve got more grey hair! lol
The girls wanted to go try on bridesmaids dresses this saturday , and my try on my outfit , but I said can we make it the following sat.. I got chicks hatching! I got rolling eyes in reply lol.
So next sat it is :)
I haven’t gotten to a pet shop for a waterer yet , and a feeder for the fussys in the main pen, but I prolly will tomorrow.

hehehehehe! Cute :) Gotta get your priorities right!!! :)

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

yes, crumbles are the go. mum can eat them too. just not supposed to feed them to the adults and eat the eggs. they are medicated against common baby chick diseases I think. wheat would be too big for the babies.

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

I’m guessing ..but put crumbles in anyway as my mum chook is eating them on her dashes out for food.
I have an old bread container for water , little larger than a brick, so I will put a cleaned brick in it soon. But I wonder if thats too high for the chicks to reach…

too high. need something low and shallow for the first few days to a week. by then they will be strong enough to cope with bigger dishes hopefully.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

I’m guessing ..but put crumbles in anyway as my mum chook is eating them on her dashes out for food.
I have an old bread container for water , little larger than a brick, so I will put a cleaned brick in it soon. But I wonder if thats too high for the chicks to reach…

too high. need something low and shallow for the first few days to a week. by then they will be strong enough to cope with bigger dishes hopefully.

Ok thanks, I’ll do that , what Dinetta said too. :)

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

in regards to these chick pellet things – currently there’s a shallow water bowl and some wheat in the birthing ward. if the bubs are to hatch on friday should i remove the wheat and replace with crumbles or doesn’t it matter?

yes, crumbles are the go. mum can eat them too. just not supposed to feed them to the adults and eat the eggs. they are medicated against common baby chick diseases I think. wheat would be too big for the babies.

Whatever happened to cracked corn?

Dinetta said:

Whatever happened to cracked corn?

no one cared?

Happy Potter said:

Ok thanks, I’ll do that , what Dinetta said too. :)

If I ever get chookies, I’ll be lining up to ask Q’s of BlueGreen and Lucky! I can remember a lot of what Mum used to do, but I often had no idea of why she did other stuff with the chooks…much of it comes back as I read the questions and answers… but I have never forgotten the dismay when we pulled a couple of little 2-day olds out of the water container, on different occasions, before we came up with the shallow water dish with rock in it idea…

bluegreen said:

Dinetta said:

Whatever happened to cracked corn?

no one cared?

Out here it’s still a good seller…and before crumbles it was the mainstay of chicken-raising…

Dinetta said:

but I have never forgotten the dismay when we pulled a couple of little 2-day olds out of the water container, on different occasions, before we came up with the shallow water dish with rock in it idea…

have been there and it is heart rending. and all mum chook can do is call them and hope they get out. she cannot help them.

Dinetta said:

bluegreen said:

Dinetta said:

Whatever happened to cracked corn?

no one cared?

Out here it’s still a good seller…and before crumbles it was the mainstay of chicken-raising…

I’m sure Jimmy is still at work cracking corn if you want to go that way…

bluegreen said:

Dinetta said:

bluegreen said:

no one cared?

Out here it’s still a good seller…and before crumbles it was the mainstay of chicken-raising…

I’m sure Jimmy is still at work cracking corn if you want to go that way…

ROFL BG!!!! Very witty :)

STOP PRESS!
Theres movenment in the chook maternity ward!!!!!!!!
OMG they are early!!! I definately heard pipping , and mum chook keeps stand up and fussing about…

Happy Potter said:

STOP PRESS!
Theres movenment in the chook maternity ward!!!!!!!!
OMG they are early!!! I definately heard pipping , and mum chook keeps stand up and fussing about…

OMG!! This is so exciting!!

orchid40 said:

Happy Potter said:

STOP PRESS!
Theres movenment in the chook maternity ward!!!!!!!!
OMG they are early!!! I definately heard pipping , and mum chook keeps stand up and fussing about…

OMG!! This is so exciting!!

Yes! And that should read : the mum keeps standing up and fussing about

Happy Potter said:

orchid40 said:

Happy Potter said:

STOP PRESS!
Theres movenment in the chook maternity ward!!!!!!!!
OMG they are early!!! I definately heard pipping , and mum chook keeps stand up and fussing about…

OMG!! This is so exciting!!

Yes! And that should read : the mum keeps standing up and fussing about

cheat – all quiet here LOL
congrats – now don’t you go fussing – mumchook is quite capable.

Happy Potter said:

STOP PRESS!
Theres movenment in the chook maternity ward!!!!!!!!
OMG they are early!!! I definately heard pipping , and mum chook keeps stand up and fussing about…

Oh ohoh I’m egg-cited.

Shame Hot Lips didn’t sit….. never mind…next time.

pepe said:

Happy Potter said:

orchid40 said:

OMG!! This is so exciting!!

Yes! And that should read : the mum keeps standing up and fussing about

cheat – all quiet here LOL
congrats – now don’t you go fussing – mumchook is quite capable.

I was just thinking about your little clutch too Pepe.

I’m a chookie nana!!!
LOL

Happy Potter said:

I’m a chookie nana!!!
LOL

congratulations Nana! A silkie?

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I’m a chookie nana!!!
LOL

congratulations Nana! A silkie?

Thanks lol. Yes a silkie , so much smaller than normal sized chicks, and the feathery legs too. More pipping going on :D

All together now – AWWWWWWW——————- such a sweet little morsel! Well done HP and Chookie Mum. How many more ?

orchid40 said:

All together now – AWWWWWWW——————- such a sweet little morsel! Well done HP and Chookie Mum. How many more ?

5 more to go, not sure if any others have hatched yet. It was a quick dash to grab that little one poking it’s head out, take the pic and put it back. :D

Happy Potter said:

STOP PRESS!
Theres movenment in the chook maternity ward!!!!!!!!
OMG they are early!!! I definately heard pipping , and mum chook keeps stand up and fussing about…

Ooooooooooooooooooo. I’m getting goose bumps. I should say chicken bumps.

>And that should read : the mum keeps standing up and fussing about

You mean the feathered Mum I take it.. 8^)

Happy Potter said:

I’m a chookie nana!!!
LOL

Congratulations Nana. Took! Took!

just bumping it up for you HP.

not that you have to leave the maternity ward to keep your friends up to date.

my mumchook is sooo cool – no signs yet.

my beans are up – does that count?

pepe said:

just bumping it up for you HP.

not that you have to leave the maternity ward to keep your friends up to date.

my mumchook is sooo cool – no signs yet.

my beans are up – does that count?

LOL thanks Pepe..just got back from a lovely tea with friends. All is quiet in the chook quarters , all sound asleep. I will have a look in the morning to see if there’s other chicks out and about.

Beans dont chirp! lol

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

just bumping it up for you HP. not that you have to leave the maternity ward to keep your friends up to date. my mumchook is sooo cool – no signs yet. my beans are up – does that count?

LOL thanks Pepe..just got back from a lovely tea with friends.
All is quiet in the chook quarters , all sound asleep. I will have a look in the morning to see if there’s other chicks out and about. Beans dont chirp! lol

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

———————————————— I saw 3 more little chicks all huddled together so hatchings have been quite successful here. One quite white and another silvery with dark gold through it.
But when do we know if eggs arn’t going to hatch?

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but arn’t out eating yet.

pepe said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

Hang in there Pepe, it’s early days yet…

Happy Potter said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

———————————————— I saw 3 more little chicks all huddled together so hatchings have been quite successful here. One quite white and another silvery with dark gold through it.
But when do we know if eggs arn’t going to hatch?

The mother hen will just up and leave them…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

———————————————— I saw 3 more little chicks all huddled together so hatchings have been quite successful here. One quite white and another silvery with dark gold through it.
But when do we know if eggs arn’t going to hatch?

The mother hen will just up and leave them…

Oh ok.
She’s still sitting tight so I’d say the rest will hatch today, if there’s any.

Happy Potter said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

———————————————— I saw 3 more little chicks all huddled together so hatchings have been quite successful here. One quite white and another silvery with dark gold through it.
But when do we know if eggs arn’t going to hatch?

good question.
and when is it too hot for chicklings to hatch?
how soon can we move the bubs? – my loft might get too hot today.

congrats on your two newbies btw. i wonder if the first born picks on the others??
….and where are our expert advisers? LOL.

Happy Potter said:

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but aren’t out eating yet.

When BlueGreen said that no one cared why cracked corn wasn’t fed to chickens any more, I went and did some research…you can too… and the upshot was, as near as I could tell, that some of this sort of thing is taken care of with the crumbles…BlueGreen will give you a more comprehensive answer…

(the problem with cracked corn, the mainstay of hundreds of years of chicken raising, is that it’s pure starch and chickens quickly get fat on it…)

If you are worried, scatter a little bit of crumble near the sitting hen…she might peck and the chickens will imitate her…that’s how they learn…

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

Hang in there Pepe, it’s early days yet…

i’m doing nothing – and my mumchook is still cool.

pepe said:

Happy Potter said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

———————————————— I saw 3 more little chicks all huddled together so hatchings have been quite successful here. One quite white and another silvery with dark gold through it.
But when do we know if eggs arn’t going to hatch?

good question.
and when is it too hot for chicklings to hatch?
how soon can we move the bubs? – my loft might get too hot today.

congrats on your two newbies btw. i wonder if the first born picks on the others??
….and where are our expert advisers? LOL.

I’d say the chook feathers insulate the eggs so they don’t get too hot.
I’ll move the lot in a week or 2 , to an area behind a shed. Lessen any smells near the house.
They’re too cute :)

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but aren’t out eating yet.

When BlueGreen said that no one cared why cracked corn wasn’t fed to chickens any more, I went and did some research…you can too… and the upshot was, as near as I could tell, that some of this sort of thing is taken care of with the crumbles…BlueGreen will give you a more comprehensive answer…

(the problem with cracked corn, the mainstay of hundreds of years of chicken raising, is that it’s pure starch and chickens quickly get fat on it…)

If you are worried, scatter a little bit of crumble near the sitting hen…she might peck and the chickens will imitate her…that’s how they learn…

Ok thanks Dinetta :) She’s quite tame and not worried if I reach in around her. Expert advisers here Pepe :D

pepe said:

good question.
and when is it too hot for chicklings to hatch?
how soon can we move the bubs? – my loft might get too hot today.

congrats on your two newbies btw. i wonder if the first born picks on the others??
….and where are our expert advisers? LOL.

I think (BlueGreen! where are you?! Lucky?!) you will find that under the MumChook is insulated, the temperature is regulated regardless of the outside temps,,, but you will need to keep the water up to her at least,,,I can remember Mum’s hens hatching clutches under very hot conditions…

AFAIK pecking on the others depends on the nature of the individual chickens …

Pepe you might have a day to remember today!! Hatching chickens and 7 new fruit trees!!

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but aren’t out eating yet.

If you are worried, scatter a little bit of crumble near the sitting hen…she might peck and the chickens will imitate her…that’s how they learn…

I’ve never seen chicken crumbles, only turkey ones (for the guinea fowl chicks)…are they in small enough bits for the chickens to just “peck ‘n’ eat”?

good morning dinetta
and thanks for the reassuring words.

stay close to the puter – you might have to walk me thru’ a caesarian yet. LOL.

A little light reading:
http://shilala.homestead.com/feeding.html

I just typed “feeding cracked corn to chickens” into the google search engine, and some ease-to-understand pages come up…most are Yankee but you get my drift…

pepe said:

good morning dinetta
and thanks for the reassuring words.

stay close to the puter – you might have to walk me thru’ a caesarian yet. LOL.

I remember them, too!

:P

Dinetta said:

A little light reading:
http://shilala.homestead.com/feeding.html

I just typed “feeding cracked corn to chickens” into the google search engine, and some ease-to-understand pages come up…most are Yankee but you get my drift…

“Chicks arriving by mail have been stressed pretty heavily.”

uh-uh. methinks these are city chooks.
mine are going to be weaned on spinach and earwigs – if i get any chicks that is.

Dinetta said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but aren’t out eating yet.

If you are worried, scatter a little bit of crumble near the sitting hen…she might peck and the chickens will imitate her…that’s how they learn…

I’ve never seen chicken crumbles, only turkey ones (for the guinea fowl chicks)…are they in small enough bits for the chickens to just “peck ‘n’ eat”?

I went out and offered a handful of crumbles to mum chook and she ate from my hand, then the chicks all gathered around and did the same!
I got a chance to see if theres any eggs left and the 2 lavendar araucana eggs are unhatched..as yet. I couldn’t see the 4 th silkie or it’s egg.

Dinetta said:

A little light reading:
http://shilala.homestead.com/feeding.html

I just typed “feeding cracked corn to chickens” into the google search engine, and some ease-to-understand pages come up…most are Yankee but you get my drift…

Some excellent advice in there too :) thanks

stay close to the puter – you might have to walk me thru’ a caesarian yet. LOL.

=======

Oh Pepe – you are a card !!! ROFL!

HP, that must have been a magic moment for you having those chicks eat out of your hand!

pepe said:

uh-uh. methinks these are city chooks.
mine are going to be weaned on spinach and earwigs – if i get any chicks that is.

Go pick up your fruit trees! Now!

orchid40 said:

stay close to the puter – you might have to walk me thru’ a caesarian yet. LOL.

=======

Oh Pepe – you are a card !!! ROFL!

HP, that must have been a magic moment for you having those chicks eat out of your hand!

Absolutely :D
I wasn’t expecting that , I knelt down to watch closer. it was almost as if the mum chook was saying ‘now children gather around, this is what you do’
hehe.

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

uh-uh. methinks these are city chooks.
mine are going to be weaned on spinach and earwigs – if i get any chicks that is.

Go pick up your fruit trees! Now!

Pepe ,with all those lovely fruit trees to plant out and possible chick hatching soon, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t know which way to run! lol

Happy Potter said:

orchid40 said:

stay close to the puter – you might have to walk me thru’ a caesarian yet. LOL.

=======

Oh Pepe – you are a card !!! ROFL!

HP, that must have been a magic moment for you having those chicks eat out of your hand!

Absolutely :D
I wasn’t expecting that , I knelt down to watch closer. it was almost as if the mum chook was saying ‘now children gather around, this is what you do’
hehe.

If you do it again, someone should have a camera ready :)

two !!!!!
look closely. yellow and brown.

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

uh-uh. methinks these are city chooks.
mine are going to be weaned on spinach and earwigs – if i get any chicks that is.

Go pick up your fruit trees! Now!

ok – but i want effusive congratulations waiting for me when i return. LOL.

pepe said:

two !!!!!
look closely. yellow and brown.

Charming!

I meant the photo as a whole was charming…

Well done, Pepe! Congratulations to MumChook, the chickens look alert and their eyes and heads, at least, look healthy!

Got a spring in your step now, Pepe? LOL!

pepe said:

two !!!!!
look closely. yellow and brown.

YAY!! Well done Pepe and Mumchook. They look alert and cheeky and CUTE!

pepe said:

my mumchook is as cool as ever but no chirping here. i also used my own eggs and i can see why VG and BG put heaps of eggs under their broodies. my broody is sitting on 4-6 eggs and none of them might be fertile.

actually I didn’t give her 12 eggs by choice! She had squirreled them away herself. I would normally go for about 6 eggs if it is a planned sitting. I also know I have a high hit rate with my rooster so fertility is not an issue.

Happy Potter said:

I saw 3 more little chicks all huddled together so hatchings have been quite successful here. One quite white and another silvery with dark gold through it. But when do we know if eggs arn’t going to hatch?

the needs of the chicks will force mum to leave the nest after a couple of days. I dispose of any eggs that are left behind as invalid (carefully, as they are probably fragile and rotten.)

pepe said:

two !!!!!
look closely. yellow and brown.

Oh YAY!!! at last.
So cute!
Well there ya go Pop! LOL

Happy Potter said:

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but arn’t out eating yet.

I think the crumbles contain the necessary meds. I have never given mine inoculations or such.

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Do the chicks need to be given innoculation jabs/drops or anything like that ?
Or are backyarders free of the big farm bugs that can kill?
I suppose I’m asking what do I do next to protect the chicks. They have crumbles but aren’t out eating yet.

When BlueGreen said that no one cared why cracked corn wasn’t fed to chickens any more, I went and did some research…you can too… and the upshot was, as near as I could tell, that some of this sort of thing is taken care of with the crumbles…BlueGreen will give you a more comprehensive answer…

(the problem with cracked corn, the mainstay of hundreds of years of chicken raising, is that it’s pure starch and chickens quickly get fat on it…)

If you are worried, scatter a little bit of crumble near the sitting hen…she might peck and the chickens will imitate her…that’s how they learn…

they are still absorbing the egg yolk in the first 24 hours so don’t need food straight away.

Happy Potter said:

I’d say the chook feathers insulate the eggs so they don’t get too hot.
I’ll move the lot in a week or 2 , to an area behind a shed. Lessen any smells near the house.
They’re too cute :)

mum will regulate the temperature as best she can. I have moved mine as soon as she leaves the nest with the young ones. She will not desert them at this stage.

Dinetta said:

I’ve never seen chicken crumbles, only turkey ones (for the guinea fowl chicks)…are they in small enough bits for the chickens to just “peck ‘n’ eat”?

yep.

pepe said:

two !!!!!
look closely. yellow and brown.

I can see them :)

One of the cutest things to see is mum sitting over the chicks, with all these little beady eyed heads sticking out from under the feathers for a look-see.

One of the cutest things to see is mum sitting over the chicks, with all these little beady eyed heads sticking out from under the feathers for a look-see.
——-
thank you one and all
there’s two yellow ones now but the brown one’s vanished.

pepe said:

thank you one and all
there’s two yellow ones now but the brown one’s vanished.

probably gone to sleep under mum :)

my mumchook has settled on three and is now walking around with them trailing.
can i move the nest and them down onto the ground tomorrow?
they will have their own secret garden.
or will big birds get them?

pepe said:

my mumchook has settled on three and is now walking around with them trailing.
can i move the nest and them down onto the ground tomorrow?
they will have their own secret garden.
or will big birds get them?

if she is moving around with them then it is OK to move them. I would put them somewhere where they are protected from any sort of predator if possible. I have a large rabbit cage that I use for this purpose.

ok thanks BG

i can hide the nest in the old broad bean crop and make a rustic shelter.
its hot again tomorrow. the loft is ok but a tad warm.

mama pepe is home and will want a tourLOL.

pepe said:

two !!!!!
look closely. yellow and brown.

They are so cute Grandchook. A brown one is different.

Mum chook is out and about with her 3 hatchling silkies. The remaining 3 eggs duds, inc 2 lavender araucanas , pity, but theres always next time.
I’ll move them to a better spot when I have more time, probably tomorrow.

Happy Potter said:

Mum chook is out and about with her 3 hatchling silkies. The remaining 3 eggs duds, inc 2 lavender araucanas , pity, but theres always next time.
I’ll move them to a better spot when I have more time, probably tomorrow.

3 is good, considering they had been in the post.

mumchook has been moved to walled garden and is sitting (with youngest under her) in the broad bean patch. much cooler there than in the loft. the two first born are sitting a foot away. all good – i think.

pepe said:

mumchook has been moved to walled garden and is sitting (with youngest under her) in the broad bean patch. much cooler there than in the loft. the two first born are sitting a foot away. all good – i think.

I bet you’re watching them like a Mother hen.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

mumchook has been moved to walled garden and is sitting (with youngest under her) in the broad bean patch. much cooler there than in the loft. the two first born are sitting a foot away. all good – i think.

I bet you’re watching them like a Mother hen.

nah – i’m cool
mum hen’s cool
chicks are cool

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

mumchook has been moved to walled garden and is sitting (with youngest under her) in the broad bean patch. much cooler there than in the loft. the two first born are sitting a foot away. all good – i think.

I bet you’re watching them like a Mother hen.

nah – i’m cool
mum hen’s cool
chicks are cool

Must be winter. Everyone’s cool.

The little fluffballs with their mum :)

awwwwwwwwww

Well, their surrogate mum anyway. I wonder if she will look at them when they are grown and think ‘ what the heck did I raise!’ LOL

I’ve been watcing them through my desk window and they are so funny..a tiny chick trying to tackle a big silverbeet leaf , and another had a drink and held it’s head back to swallow and fell over backwards lol

Happy Potter said:

The little fluffballs with their mum :)

Light sussex?

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

The little fluffballs with their mum :)

Light sussex?

Yes, one of 3 bantams Bluegreen gave me :)

Happy Potter said:

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

The little fluffballs with their mum :)

Light sussex?

Yes, one of 3 bantams Bluegreen gave me :)

Thought it was Bantam, found that she attacks You abit i have a Wyndotte Bantam (Partridge) thats broodie she got a fair peck on her was bending down to fill up the water in the bottom row of training cages the Little B*&*h attacked me throught the cage front.

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

veg gardener said:

Light sussex?

Yes, one of 3 bantams Bluegreen gave me :)

Thought it was Bantam, found that she attacks You abit i have a Wyndotte Bantam (Partridge) thats broodie she got a fair peck on her was bending down to fill up the water in the bottom row of training cages the Little B*&*h attacked me throught the cage front.

Mine don’t peck me. I often have them out and next to me as i,m weeding and I offer them weeds and worms. Took quite a bit to tame them though. This mum chook was one of the 3 that flew onto next doors shed roof the day I brought them home lol.

Happy Potter said:

veg gardener said:

Happy Potter said:

Yes, one of 3 bantams Bluegreen gave me :)

Thought it was Bantam, found that she attacks You abit i have a Wyndotte Bantam (Partridge) thats broodie she got a fair peck on her was bending down to fill up the water in the bottom row of training cages the Little B*&*h attacked me throught the cage front.

Mine don’t peck me. I often have them out and next to me as i,m weeding and I offer them weeds and worms. Took quite a bit to tame them though. This mum chook was one of the 3 that flew onto next doors shed roof the day I brought them home lol.

Mine are tame for the show cages but not when they are sitting on eggs, Mine follow me around the paddock.

veg gardener said:

Thought it was Bantam, found that she attacks You abit i have a Wyndotte Bantam (Partridge) thats broodie she got a fair peck on her was bending down to fill up the water in the bottom row of training cages the Little B*&*h attacked me throught the cage front.

I have found this breed to be lacking in aggression, even the rooster when I am holding one of his girls up-side-down and she is screaming blue murder only dances around a bit but doesn’t ever attack me.

bluegreen said:

veg gardener said:

Thought it was Bantam, found that she attacks You abit i have a Wyndotte Bantam (Partridge) thats broodie she got a fair peck on her was bending down to fill up the water in the bottom row of training cages the Little B*&*h attacked me throught the cage front.

I have found this breed to be lacking in aggression, even the rooster when I am holding one of his girls up-side-down and she is screaming blue murder only dances around a bit but doesn’t ever attack me.

Ok then, 2 Broodies now, Bit to late for them to be hatching but, ill have a few wyndotte chickens for end of season but.

Happy Potter said:

The little fluffballs with their mum :)

She is a proud Mother hen.

my three are being hardened up in the garden.

cute chick thread found !

my mumchook dug deep into the damp dirt below the winter tomatoes to escape the heat.
cool and shady…. and the chicks received several lessons in soil life whilst she was doing it.

Cool Pepe :) Mine are in the fernery getting lessons on how to find yummy bugs by displacing heaps of mulch LOL

one of my ducks is “nesting”. Thinking of letting her sit on some eggs…

Happy Potter said:

Cool Pepe :) Mine are in the fernery getting lessons on how to find yummy bugs by displacing heaps of mulch LOL

this topic is getting harder to find.
my three are growing up tough. mumchook just sleeps out in the open and the three chicks sleep under her. there is a nest but it is too soft obviously. by next week they’ll be ready for bigger food since they are already foraging well in the walled garden.

no drowning dangers for my three chickadees now. they can jump about a foot high.

their biggest threat to life is mum’s flying claws as she scratches right next to them.

They grow so quickly, do chickens…when they’re born you have to wonder if it will survive the day, one week later and they’ve got it all sorted…

Dinetta said:

They grow so quickly, do chickens…when they’re born you have to wonder if it will survive the day, one week later and they’ve got it all sorted…

I wonder then , because my chicks are silkies they are still very small, not much bigger after one week. Hmm. But they do hop up high. I have made their area smaller or they were going to destroy my fernery lol..mulch for miles.

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

They grow so quickly, do chickens…when they’re born you have to wonder if it will survive the day, one week later and they’ve got it all sorted…

I wonder then , because my chicks are silkies they are still very small, not much bigger after one week. Hmm. But they do hop up high. I have made their area smaller or they were going to destroy my fernery lol..mulch for miles.

mine are still small
- but now – after a week of scratching – they’ve got NINJA KNEES – and boy can they hop.

my mum and her three chicks are now mixing with one big hen and 20 odd pigeon.

question – how soon can i introduce the rooster to this lot?
if you still say 5 weeks that’s ok – but they are becoming socialised quickly and i would like to plant out the other other chook run asap.

pepe said:

my mum and her three chicks are now mixing with one big hen and 20 odd pigeon.

question – how soon can i introduce the rooster to this lot?
if you still say 5 weeks that’s ok – but they are becoming socialised quickly and i would like to plant out the other other chook run asap.

I just play it by ear…

I have a gentle rooster and he has never been a problem with the chicks, but is a doting father. It’s the other hens I have had to look out for…

I just play it by ear…I have a gentle rooster and he has never been a problem with the chicks, but is a doting father. It’s the other hens I have had to look out for…
——————————-
thanks BG
how soon can we tell if one chick is a rooster?

now 3 weeks old, I am letting them out for short forages. They don’t stray far from mum. With these pekin crosses, I can tell the boys from the girls already and if they only stayed still long enough I could work out how many of each! The boy’s combs are bigger and have more colour in them.
—
i hadn’t read the whole thread.

so you can tell in 3 weeks. – umm – how old are ours ?
- back to the thread.

24 -25 days old !
might need some help sexing this lot.

pepe said:

24 -25 days old !
might need some help sexing this lot.

Yes me too. Mine don’t have combs lol. And they are smaller than yours , but being silkies I expect they would be. And only starting to get some secondary feathers, they’re still fluffballs.

pepe said:

I just play it by ear…I have a gentle rooster and he has never been a problem with the chicks, but is a doting father. It’s the other hens I have had to look out for…
——————————-
thanks BG
how soon can we tell if one chick is a rooster?

A rooster’s comb will be bigger and redder than a pullet’s by about 6 weeks depending on the breed. With the pekin crosses I can generally tell earlier.

mumchook and kids are on a perch now so she is protecting them by sleeping with a full wing spread – odd but cute.

The baby chicks are now big and strong enough to be moved into the main pen, the other chooks don’t pay them any attention..only when one gets a little too close to the chicks does the mum chook chuck a puffed out feather tanty.

Now, do I leave the lil chicks house (a toybox with roof and straw) in a corner of the main run ? They are too little to hop up on the perches still..

Happy Potter said:

Now, do I leave the lil chicks house (a toybox with roof and straw) in a corner of the main run ? They are too little to hop up on the perches still..

yes. they will make their own way in with the main group when they are ready. (But you might be surprised how high they can get while still small.)

I think the two I have broody may be loosing interest in the eggs I put under them a couple of weeks ago, and a couple of eggs have gone missing :(

…or maybe they are just getting hungry.

I think the two I have broody may be loosing interest in the eggs I put under them a couple of weeks ago, and a couple of eggs have gone missing :(

…or maybe they are just getting hungry.

duck is still sitting tight. due out this weekend think :)

bluegreen said:

I think the two I have broody may be loosing interest in the eggs I put under them a couple of weeks ago, and a couple of eggs have gone missing :(

…or maybe they are just getting hungry.

Whats taking the eggs, or are the chooks eating them ?

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Now, do I leave the lil chicks house (a toybox with roof and straw) in a corner of the main run ? They are too little to hop up on the perches still..

yes. they will make their own way in with the main group when they are ready. (But you might be surprised how high they can get while still small.)

Ok cool. And thank you for your help on all things chook :D

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

I think the two I have broody may be loosing interest in the eggs I put under them a couple of weeks ago, and a couple of eggs have gone missing :(

…or maybe they are just getting hungry.

Whats taking the eggs, or are the chooks eating them ?

I don’t think it is the other chooks but can’t be sure. No signs of shell or any debris lying around. We do have a pair of crows that visit this time of year when they nest nearby though, and I have seen them eat any duck eggs that have been laid in the yard if I haven’t gotten to them first.

I’ll check the nest again later to see if one of the hens has returned. I might see if I can move her to the “nursery” where she can be locked away on her own.