Broooody!!!!! and Some french sounding chickens

[walldanzig]

yeah one hatched maybe it was a mistake leaving her in with the others. im going to fire the incy up dont want buy off ebay was looking at araucanas open to suggestions on breed and where to buy from

[RichmondHens]

Not necessarily a mistake. I have let broodies sit in the main henhouse before now with no ill effect when I ran out of broody coops. They were never bothered by the others, and they had to contend with 12 or so! My suspicions lie with the eggs - possibly not good quality?

Can't help with Araucana suppliers I'm afraid. Someone else on here may know.

[walldanzig]

thanks Richmond. it was such a shame but these things happen I suppose

[RichmondHens]

thanks Richmond. it was such a shame but these things happen I suppose

They do indeed. You just have to roll with it. I have two broodies now but the hens I want to breed from have not come into lay yet - grrrrr!

[Nicos]

Oh dear...I've been all excited for you all day Darn...

[walldanzig]

thanks Nicos the chick looked so cute as well not sure what happened

[Nicos]

Both my guys and all the gals have been protective of our chicks- (one big happy family)
The ones of mine which died were all at this time of year - and mom didn't keep them warm when they left the nest/wing ( in the warm summer it wouldn't have mattered)
How experienced are your moms??
Has anyone actually known/seen an adult male/female attack a chick???..seems to go against Nature to want to kill off offspring . ( unless you are a lion- and obviously that goes without saying!)

[walldanzig]

She was new and I think the cold was the most likely explanation we have it real cold in Sheffield at the moment

[Bramble-Poultry]

Thats a shame Dan but don't lose hope - leave her to sit a couple of extra days and you should find she gives up on her own, if she doesn't by the end of the weekend kick her off the nest let her regain condition and the weather to warm up and she is likely to go broody again - then try again.

[walldanzig]

aaaargh I went up today thought I best clear the eggs out. There is cheaping coming from them it's day 23 has been very cold here don't know what to do. How long do I leave it shall I break them out myself??????

[Bramble-Poultry]

if they are cheaping then there is a chance that she didnt start properly incubating until a day or two later.

if they are cheaping now, have they pipped the shell? if not, then leave well alone as they are cheaping in response to mum who will encourage them to pip.

we only interfere when they have pipped and are struggling to get out. The trick when trying to help out is to keep them warm, hold the egg in a damp cloth (helps the humidity) and gently prize away the shell. peel back membrane but be careful that if the egg isnt ready it will bleed and you could lose the chick.

better to wait and let mum do it - she is better at it than us.

given the cold and the previous history, can i suggest that you separate the mum and her brood from the others? also as its very cold, it might be better to move her to a warmer location once she has hatched the little ones

[walldanzig]

Thanks Jennie/Mick
I am going to remove them. No pipping yet just cheaping. What a shock

[MaureenHall]

oooooooooooo getting all eggsited again now!!! This isn't good for my stress levels you know

[penny]

hatching

hi, my silly silkie sat on one egg and hatched it when we had all that snow so now dad mom and junior are running around very happy. My other banty hatched seven at the second week in October; and I think they are all pullets is it to do with late broods? does anyone know? I really like the Millefleurs I shall have to have some of them is anyone near Chesterfield with some to sell?
penny

[Bramble-Poultry]

penny

we are near stafford. when we have fulfilled our current orders we can put you on our next round if you like? we have 2 quintets of millefleur barbu d'uccle currently, each quintet has a mixture of good garden quality millefleur and some stunning show birds too. Therefore you should get some good quality birds out of them.

PM us if your are interested.