enpekt Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Izzie, our broody hen, has been "given" nine eggs: 3 Leghorn bantams, lavender? brown? and buff? 1 Cuckoo Orpington 1 Gold-laced Orpington 3 Barnevelders 1 Light Sussex We'll keep you up to date with her progress, although we're worried about her eating and drinking. She's enjoyed a dust bath today, let's hope she takes more water tomorrow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 wow, some size differences there... To keep her hydrated try soaking some wheat or corn in water for a couple of hours then putting it down in front of her so she can reach it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enpekt Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 Thanks, Tasha! will try that as PeckyBeak's fretting about her broody "sitter"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enpekt Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Weird behaviour! It's like she's gone wild. The other chooks, not only her peers, but those above her in the pecking order, have noticed this and give her (mainly) a wide berth... She won't eat or drink out of containers, preferring to scratch food from the ground. And prefers water from the gaps between slabs, either dirty or freshly provided, to normal receptacles. It's as if her instincts have altered her mindset. Mostly she appears in a trance whilst on or near the eggs. When she frees herself, she races to where I've had fires and cleanses herself dust bathing in the cold ashes. Some of her shaking and wing-beating is very masculine or protective/aggressive. She seems to get more prehistoric by the day. Has anyone else seen this kind of behaviour? Is it typical of her condition? We've researched and read whatever we can, but can't find any similar characterstics. How lovely to be able to observe and record these events... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enpekt Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 Saturday 24 July - 2 hatchlings... Sunday 25 July - 3 more... Three to go, one egg broke within a few days of sitting. Big smiles all round ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Well done! All broodies seem to have personality transplants whilst broody. Tiger my Silkie dashes everywhere at a million miles an hour and my Brahmas just growl a lot and charge at anyone and anything with their heads down and wings outstretched I actually had to come home from work yesterday to deal with Francesca Brahma who had escaped from her area, she was frightening the kids and my OH couldn't get anywhere near her Poor girl was quite upset by the time I got here but appreciated a cuddle from me before going back where she belongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Clucker Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Our Dipper went feral when she became broody (only another week before hopeful hatching!) and she does exactly the same thing; run to the dust bath, play at being a ninja if our aracauna comes too close, massive poop and then she trots up with a "I'd like to go back on my nest now please!" @D its the first time my OH has seen a broody hen and he was amazed at how far her feathers fluff up when she's cross! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enpekt Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 It's wonderful to observe! The other three eggs were abandoned, but we have five lovely chicks with mum doing well showing them how to eat and drink etc.. Have made and now modified a "verandah" for them all... ...pics to follow when technotime allows... Sadly hampered today by the loss of Sweetie Taken by a predator, most likely a large bird. Our first loss this way, and really upsetting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Congratulations on the Look forward to the photos RIP Sweetie ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
