The Poultry Keeper

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

Hi, 2 of my chicks have hatched today under one of the broodys. One is a RIR not sure what other one is - didn't want to muck her around much.

There are 10 other eggs under the pair of them so hopefully more to come!

Question - do I still lift them off the eggs/chicks to have a walk around and food? We are only day 20 today so it is likely that all the eggs won't hatch today and will hatch tomorrow.....the house they are in has a house bit with nest boxes on the side and a run attached...I have been leaving the door to the run shut and just getting them out into the run once a day and then leaving the door open to go back to their eggs which they do after about 10mins. Should I now leave the door open so they can come when they want?...Will they continue to sit until the chicks can walk out with them too?

So many questions but so far less stressful than a incubator!

debcat · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject:

congratulations

Knobby · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject:

Well done Gina !!! And well done Broody Mum !
Dont forget them pics !! Very Happy

Knobby · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 2:05 pm Post subject:

Psssttt....ive just checked mine.....3 HAVE PIPPED !!!!!!
Very Happy

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Well done Gina, Laughing

hope you get loads more Razz

No idea i'm afraid, but guess they need to eat and excercise

ps good luck with your knobby Wink

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject:

I think you could give them the choice Gina, they will come off if they think the chicks beneath them will be okay, even if it's for a quick poo. As long as the run is secure from anyone else but the mums and chicks.
it's exciting, isn't it, I hope you have a good hatch, and you Knobby

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

good news knobby...I must admit although I find it less stressful I would like to watch one hatch and I can't do that with broodys...

Just going to check progress now!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I'm pleased its all starting to happen for your broodies. I'll read all the answers you get to your questions, then maybe I won't ask them again.
Good luck with your as well knobby, keep us informed of progress

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

Mmmmm....slight problem at the moment, the two chicks are under one of the broodys and it seems the need for a broody to sit on a chick is greater than the need to sit on eggs so the other is getting a bit distressed at not having the chicks....one of hers has pipped though and i think if she can just sit long enough to have one hatch she will be o.k...if not i am going to have to see how many hatch and then leave just one with as many as she can manage and bring the others in. (How many large fowl can one pekin manage?)

Or if i got a rabbit hutch or something would one move now?

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

yellow one is a RIR and dark one is a maran - dark on has a bit of a bulge so not sure about it although it hasn't been hatched long so hoping it will be o.k

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Awh so cute !

Hope the Maran's ok

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

Maybe you could wait a bit longer, and they'll sort them selves out, if not, Rabbit Hutch idea sounds good, or Incubator as a last resort.
Where is Mojo, when you need him???? Confused

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

lol...i know!

they seem to have settled for now...the eggs under the one that hasn't got chicks are cheeping so i am hoping that will help keep her on them.

incubator is running just in case.

Foghornleghorn · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 74 Location: Longformacus

Well done Gina!!

My Silkie got on and off when two of her chicks hatched, then the next day all 9 were hatched. They are now all wandering around (about 3 weeks old now) She is ever such a good mum!

Lets hope that everything goes ok with your mum!

Jannine

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

help!!....all hell has broken loose!....broody with no chicks has refused to sit back on own eggs when the other has chicks....has repeatedly climbed on other one to sit on her chicks. I have taken first ones eggs away and put them in incubator (4)...got out this broody but now other chickens are attacking her!....she is spending all her time trying to get back in to chicks!

OH sent out now to get rabbit hutch. going to put her in there with 3 of own eggs (1 is hatching going to put that one under second broody and give one of her eggs to other one) - confused now?...i am...lol

hoping she will settle on the eggs when she can't see other broody.

then going to have large glass of wine!