Unsecure chicken perches

[angel 0406]

my broody has left her eggs which is a chance you take using a broody

 

when i went in this morning she was out not her usual puffed up self and pecking so i felt the eggs and they were very cold so i put her back on them and she got straight out didnt seem bothered at all i left her with them went back an hour later and she is still of them in her own pen so i guess shes given up i have now put her out with the others and she seems fine

 

but what now i never candled them or moved them from her just let her do her stuff i dont have an inccy or another broody hen so thats it

 

a breeder near me has day olds but will she still want to look after them and be their mummy can i get some day olds and she will take over thinking they are hers

 

the eggs were due to hatch mothers day and i was so looking forward to that kind of present off my baby but i do think shes had enought waiting

 

im so so sad

[Egluntyne]

a breeder near me has day olds but will she still want to look after them and be their mummy can i get some day olds and she will take over thinking they are hers

 

Definitely not. She will most likely turn on them and kill them.

 

Sorry for your diasappoinment.

[TAJ]

If they have been cold for that long probably not much chance to be honest - there have been stories of people successfully hatching in an airing cupboard, etc in such situations, but more likely to fail and the chicks could be unhealthy due to this situation. I assume as you were relying on a broody you do not have a brooder of heat lamp either which you would also need.

 

The only alternative would be to see if there is an inccy hire available near you and get them in today.

 

Tracy

[Redwing]

As Egluntyne says she will not take to the chicks

 

Its a huge risk giving a proper broody some day olds but since yours isnt even broody she will not appreciate the sight of the chicks at all

 

Sorry

[angel 0406]

hi thanks you for the advice i will leave her well along she seems fine out with the others

so wi will now have to clear out the spare pen and instead of day old chicks we are going to get 7 week old to go in the spare pen and then when they are older introduce them to the others the pens are by each other so they can see one another .

 

just one question at 7 weeks are they still on chick feed or is it growers at that age thanks your all so helpfiull

 

amie

[angel 0406]

well i was just going to clean everything and thought id give it one more chance picked her up and asked her want was wrong your babies need you and that i would help her with them give her some peas she loves them popped her on the nest she started clucking and pushing all the eggs underneath her and sat down

 

will the chicks have a chance i dont how long she was off before i went in this morning just they were cold to touch and then i let her out side for an hour was going to candle tonight but think i just leave her make sure she is back on it

 

This is like having your own children to worry over

 

thanks guys

[Redwing]

Check what they have been fed on before, it could be chicks or growers at that stage but is probably growers

 

They'll need a bit of shelter at 7 weeks old at this time of year so a clear shower curtain or some clear corrugated plastic round the sides of the run will give them a bit more shelter

 

Good luck!

 

- just read your second post - how long had she been off the eggs and how far along in the 21 days were they?

[Egluntyne]

They were due to hatch on other's Day - 14th March.

[Redwing]

well spotted I didnt see that thanks

 

Its a bit borderline to be honest then, the later in the 21 days the better if something like this happens as they can retain more heat when the embryo is bigger, i'd let her sit and then candle the eggs in a few days

[angel 0406]

oh well been out shopping and doing stuff but nothing to rave about so i go my tourch to look, im not that good at it and in day light a bit tricky made it as dark as i could and im not convinsed anything has happened in side the eggs and she just let me take them with no fuss so i think i will take them away i want be breaking any of them just incase there is anything dead in there i might be if there is

 

thank you for all your help she just dosent want to be a mammy right now so i will try again next time

 

thanks guys xx

[angel 0406]

after a bad day where i thought my silkie went off her eggs she is back on them they are all warm, i had a look with my tourch and there is hope 4 out of 5 had quite a big dark mass in them and i think i saw a vein in 1 not so much in the others but some thing is happening in there just hope there still alive and didnt get to cold think im on day 10/11 due around mothers day so im going to leave her well alone now and not candle again just let nature take its course. im feeling hopwful fingers crossed

 

amie xx