flutterby Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 This morning I gave the very grumpy broody ISA called Lacey, 6 Bantie eggs. She was very happy to pull them in under her skirts. Feathers crossed everyone - hopefully she'll stay tight. Let the countdown begin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Fingers crossed - it's so exciting isn't it!! Just try not to poke the eggs about too much - there were a few trips outside after dark at ours with a big torch to see if we could 'see' anything... Hatch day was amazing! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 14, 2010 Author Share Posted August 14, 2010 Thanks for the good wishes. we had a disaster last year - had half dozen - 2 hatched in main house but other hens trampled them so rescued remaining ones, 2 were infertile, i hatched and the last tried, but I think I over heated them so sadly they died. We did have an amazing few hours in the early hours of the morning watching the new life hatch. So this time - they are in a separate run from the word go. Day1 - Lacey is sitting tight doesn't appear to be eating thou given her chick crumbs(think she may have had a few but cant be sure). Tried tempting her with a little lettuce and blackberries ....... still there. She also has water available but not sure she's had any of that either. How long can she go without eating/drinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 You need to boot her off the nest once a day for a comfort break, and make sure she drinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 14, 2010 Author Share Posted August 14, 2010 I'll give it a go............running down the garden.......now! Been there - she's had a little drink not much thou. Had a bit of a panic - lifted her up to find only 5! left her by the water, frantically searched the nest couldn't find the 6th!!!! Found It She had it hiding under her!!!!! cheeky chicken!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 15, 2010 Author Share Posted August 15, 2010 I've booted Lacey off the eggs a couiple of times today and she refuses to take a drink, I even tried wetting her beak but she still wouldn't drink. Any suggestions on how to get water into her would be useful. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 I've held a jug of water and dunked the hen's beak in it before now. A couple of tries usually gets them drinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Sweetcorn and chopped cucumber is good for getting a bit of fluid into them. You could leave a small pot by her so she can feed while on the nest. I also hand fed mine a little mixed corn each day ( spoilt chook ) but it worked as she didn't lose condition. As you've found out, they can get the eggs caught up under their wings and in their knickers, so check under the wings gently before you lift them off the nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Thanks for the advice, I eent down armed with various options, lifted her to the water and she drank loads!! Typical really! lol Any how, she's now had a good glug two days running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 20, 2010 Author Share Posted August 20, 2010 OMG Lacey went outside today when I kickeed her off the nest - I have never seen or smelt a poo quite like the one she did! It is normal when they're brooding to do such a smelly, large, wet poo!!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Unfortunately, yes! They don't poo in the nest, instead saving it up for their rare trips outside! I always had a little shovel handy to remove the offending deposit to somewhere it could fester quietly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 I always had a little shovel handy to remove the offending deposit to somewhere it could fester quietly Thanks for the reassurance - I don't think mine would've moved too easily!!!! and yes it in now definitely festering!!!!!! Up date today is that i candled the eggs last night and acutally saw something moving inside one !!! its soooo exciting Even my big strapping 16 year old son was intrigued! Not too sure about the others, 3 looked as though there's something in there the last two.......well I really couldn't be sure, having no experience of candling before i decided they could stay there.....just in case..... Today is day 11! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 25, 2010 Author Share Posted August 25, 2010 Day 13 just thought i'd candle again - looks like theres 5 out of 6 viable, just cant imagine this time next week we could be hatching!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Day 18! No sign of anything today maybe tomorrow !eggbrown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 The 2 white eggs are chirping this morning! Maybe when I come home from work there'll be some fluffy things emerging!! How exciting :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-DiamondChick07 Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Don't forget pics! Good luck with the hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 Nothing to take piccies of today maybe tomorrow White eggs are making more noise! But no sign of breaking free. Can anyone send me a crashcourse on how to upload photos to the forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 DAY 20 Today as of 7am (when I checked) we have I brown and yellow chick! I caught a glimspe under mummys knickers - have no photos yet as I didn't want to disturb them too much as the weathr is a little cold and others might be hatching!! Will supply photos as soon as I can .............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 I managed to take a photo - not a very good one though. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5490293&l=0cb1226a73&id=608342031 sorry still haven't sussed out how to post a photo - yet! I've managed to put it as my profile picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flutterby Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 Chick no 2 has emerged - another brown and yellow one. No's 3 - 6 are very quiet, tomorrow may bring some more. Feathers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
