Unsecure chicken perches

[JB09]

My pekin eggs have arrived today and I am nervous and excited all at the same time! After all of my research, I intend to wait until it is dark and then place the 6 eggs under and take out the dud. Does this sound like the best move?

 

The only thing that has worried me, due to the heat and being at work all day I have been unable to see if Besty has been leaving the nest to eat/drink so I have been lifting her off at 6 each evening and giving corn. She will only stay away from the nest for 20mins max. When she went back in tonight she moved the egg off the nest and then got on nest and puffed up as per usual. Does anyone know why she would do this? I popped it back under as I was watching her at the time.

 

Expect more worried posts over the next few weeks, I have told myself that once she is on the fertile eggs I am going to leave well alone

 

JB

[Guest]

I put my duck eggs under Betty as soon as i got them.

[tom123]

I'd swap them when it's dark which is when the broody will be at their calmest and most relaxed.

 

[Guest]

My hen is so placid anyway. I got told depends on temperament.

[tom123]

As a general rule, they are calmer at night so it's best to do it then rather than upset them

[JB09]

She is very placid, but I am going to do it tonight. I have read they are less likely to reject any new eggs at night, due to their placid state etc... I feel quite nervous about the whole thing!

[Guest]

I guess I was lucky.

[sjp]

I did it all wrong but it worked I swapped the 3 training eggs while faith was out on her 'fag break' then a little while later gave her the 3 extra ones just part slide them under her and she put them were she wanted them this was tea timeish. but I think I've been lucky she's taken to been a broody and then a mom like a duck to water

[JB09]

Right, the eggs are under! I gently lifted her, put the 6 eggs in the nest and put her back on top. She did not move a muscle the whole time! This hatching business is giving me palpitations and its only really starts here!

 

Has anyone got a further advice they feel I might need?!

 

JB

[sjp]

Right, the eggs are under! I gently lifted her, put the 6 eggs in the nest and put her back on top. She did not move a muscle the whole time! This hatching business is giving me palpitations and its only really starts here!

 

Has anyone got a further advice they feel I might need?!

 

JB

 

take a deep breath and relax

then about day 15 get your supplies drinker feeder chick crumb and chick grit

day 21 start counting the days till you can let your new litlle chicks out in to the garden for they're first FR thats nearly as nice as finding your first hatchling

[bessandra]

I agree with sjp, chill and enjoy, it's such a special thing!