Shall I have ago at hatching?

[Glutton4...]

One of my Batties has decided to be 'strange' and I'm thinking broody

The last three afternoons, when I've gone in to collect the eggs, she's been sat tight in an empty nest box, and hissed like a snake when I've gone near. Luckily she's been head in, tail out, so I've just grabbed her by the tail and bustled her out with the others, to get her share of the corn.

I don't know the fertility of my Laydees' eggs, as there are thirty three of them to one Rooster, so I don't know how many he manages to, erm, 'service.' So, I'm thinking about getting some hatching eggs, either eBay, or locally, this weekend.

Talk me out of it, please. I went down this route with the Geese, then she went off the boil a week later, and I had to bin the eggs.

[sheena]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind G4, who am I to try and change your train of thought.

Broody... egg fertility... buying in eggs was the decider lol

[Glutton4...]

*puts fingers in both ears.

But then finds she can't eBay for eggs like that, and removes them...

[sheena]

Let me consult my crystal ball...

Oh dear, I see some finger slippage in your future

[Glutton4...]

Let me consult my crystal ball...

Oh dear, I see some finger slippage in your future

LOL. Nutter!

[Nicos]

..and so...what are you getting???

[vicky]

So what breed of eggs are you after then?
One of my ex batts has been sitting on some Norfolk Grey eggs for 2 days so far...join us! You know you will!!

[sheena]

LOL. Nutter!

I didn't realise you knew me so well!

So is it LF or Bantam's?
Dark or Light?
Pretty Factor or Production?

Wow, lots of possibilities to consider there.

I know, you could be different, and go for the naked necks!
How's about duck's? you got any "Call" for them?
LMAO I quack me up...

I'll get me coat

[Glutton4...]

Stop it, stop it!

Sheena - you fit in here well, Hon! I like Wellies, and Barnies, and Light Sussex. Large Fowl, not Banties - too many of the little screechers around here already LOL

I'll put her in the little old (original) coop tomorrow (if it hasn't fallen apart), with my six assorted 'crock' eggs, and see if she really wants to. I love the thought of an ex-Batt having babies - even if they aren't genetically hers, she won't know.

Being blunt, if she's gone off lay, she may as well do sommat useful, and if they're all fellas, it'll fill the freezer!

I promised myself I wouldn't do this.

Like I promised myself I wouldn't ever get a Cockerel!

[sheena]

What surprises me is that you came on and posted "Shall I have a go at hatching?"
When you clearly already had decided you would, and that deep down you knew that everyone including the complete novice (ie me) who can't even hatch a single egg isn't even gonna try and talk you out of it....

We're just gonna "egg" you on!!!!

Opening the door to leave now!

[Glutton4...]

* Shoves door, and Sheena, firmly with foot!


LOL


I actually DO want talking out of this. It's my Folks' place, and it's up for sale. If it sells, I've got to find somewhere to put all my Chooks and Geese.

There's room down at the Stables...

Stop it! STOP IT!!!!!!!

[sheena]

You don't have to keep them all, after all you could get a month of sunday's roast dinner and maybe a few more.

Anyway, you've already got 34, what's a few more gonna do?
So how many you gonna go for? 6, 12... 24? You know you aren't gonna get 100%

You can't "chicken" out now!

*I am so gonna pay for this*

[MaureenHall]

Shall you have a go at hatching? Naaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh, let the broody do it I've got some Jersey Giant crosses if you want to try those

[Gro-Bag]

It's such fun! I'm really enjoying my little maranses cheepers running around the place looking a bit scruffy at 3 weeks as their adult feathers grow in.

[kirsty b]

Remember my two batties who went broody last year, they hatched 11 lovely babies and they incubated together, and mothered the chicks together.

Looky here: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tty_35781.html

Speaking as someone who is finally ready to have chooks again, I won't try to talk you out of it!!!

Sheena, do you still want to go halves on a fivers worth of eggs if I can get them? Or is your current experience making you wary?