The Poultry Keeper

black rocker · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: NEWBURY

hello all!!!

one of my wyandottes disappeared over easter, to be found a few days later on a nest under a disused range rover. I have left her there as she has been broody on and off for months now. there are 14 eggs, mostly bantam, but maybe 4 from my black rocks too. So i reckon i have a week to go before action takes place.
never done it before - what do i need to do? should i let her go back in with the other dotties? (2 other girls one boy) or shall i get a little house for her and her babies if they hatch? having read a few posts on here, my first worry had been my cats, but i reckon she will fend these off ok, the dog i can keep away, but we have plenty of buzzards, jays, crows etc around - should i fret about these?

i have bought some chick crumbs, i dont have anywhere to put them inside under a heat lamp (though it could be arranged maybe) or should i just "leave her to it" and trust nature?

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7424 Location: isle of lewis

i'd make her a little run we lost a chick to a cat ,and the broodie we have is quite aggressive ,crows will take chicks as well otherwise she'll look after them
suz

CP · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 3:51 pm Post subject:

Yes I'd keep her in a separate run also, at least until the chicks are a few weeks old. Some of the other hens could peck at the chicks too.

You shouldn't need a brooder with heat lamp if the hen does her job properly - some don't so be prepared if you get abandoned chicks. You will need the chick crumbs though.
Good luck - I hope you get some babies! Very Happy

Don't forget the pics if you do. Wink

black rocker · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: NEWBURY

ok, so if i get a run for her, how the heck will i get her in it??!! silly question maybe, but have visions of trying to catch little babies and getting attacked by her!! or will corn for her tempt her in and babies will follow??

mojo · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject:

just make a fine mesh wall round the car about 3 foot high put food and water inside plus a nice box for mum and chicks to sleep in..........good luck.........remember nature has been raising chicks for millions of years quite well too

black rocker · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: NEWBURY

that sounds like a fine idea, thanks mojo, i suppose we can worry ourselves silly but nature can deal with it in her own way.. how long do you think i should keep them in there for???

debcat · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 7:13 pm Post subject:

that would make a nice dry run for them Very Happy

mum will know when she's had enough, usually about 6 weeks but sometimes earlier

mojo · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject:

when they fly over 3 foot netting time to let them out

black rocker · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: NEWBURY

great stuff. will coerce OH into letting me do this tonight - sweet talk on the pillow! saves spending any real money i suppose. something like the green bird mesh do you mean so the holes arent too big for ickle chicks to squeeze through... Confused

mojo · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:13 pm Post subject:

thats the stuff..but if you have to buy 4 sheets of fine weldmesh will do the job or a roll of wire fine mesh stapled to old posts will do too which ever you use get BH to drive posts in well.......good luck keep up the reports please

black rocker · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: NEWBURY

well, update on this, not had a single thing so far, and its almost 4 weeks since she started to sit - now i read mojo say it could take up to 25 days, hence i left her a little longer on there. Today, I saw her off the nest so went to take the eggs away - only to hear a little peeping coming from one of them for sure!!! one of them had cracked and looked dirty (but didnt smell...) so think that one is deffo a no go. So, i put them hastily back and left her to it.

what other signs can i look for? is there anything else i should do? really unsure so help appreciated.. do i leave her and all eggs there or do i try and determine which egg was cheeping?

CP · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject:

Ooo, exciting! Very Happy

I'd leave her to it as she's obviously been doing all the right things so far. Just see what hatches & don't forget to take some pics!! Very Happy

mojo · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject:

dont touch leave alone for 3 days then look...good luck

black rocker · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: NEWBURY

ok - your the boss!! so scared of wrecking it!! thanks mojo

mojo · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 9:45 am Post subject:

my motto is if in doubt Dont touch....nature has been raising healthy(note ) chicks for millions of years without us interfering....we use incubs and try to raise every egg ....i honestly think sometimes we save unhealthy stock by inteerfereing...........keep us informed please