fujcube Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Hi all, Following on from last weeks epic duck hatch, live online! This weekend, our Welsummer chicks are due to make an appearance. From the initial 24 eggs, 2 had hairline cracks so were discarded, 6 went in the incubator and 8 were put under each of our 2 broody hens. The Orpington stood on, and broke one of hers so that reduced the count to 21. Once we had candled the 6 in the incubator and found 3 of them to be clear, the total then stood at 18, which is where it remains. Having just been out to check the expectant mothers, 7 eggs have pipped out of the 15, so fingers crossed for the other 8. Nothing is happening in the incubator, as yet, but if it does, we'll get the webcam hooked up. At the moment, the 2 broody hens are in their own cage, but together. I don't exactly know how things will work once the chicks have hatched, with 2 differnet sets of chicks to two mothers so I'm thinking about removing all the chicks to a brooder hut with a heat lamp etc etc. Apart from the family dynamics, I also want to keep them safe from possible rat attacks as the warm, damp weather seems to be bringing them out in their hundreds. What would be the earliest I could remove them from the broody hens with the minimum of distress? Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 That seems a bit unfair on the broodies as they'll be going from sitting into mothering mode at the sounds of the chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 It does seem a shame Maybe remove some of the chicks and leave others? You can remove them once they are dry and fluffy and probably at any point after that I'd leave at least a couple with each of the mums as they do progress so much faster with a broody and suffer far less problems Also this means you don't have all your eggs in one basket (so to speak) - I always split batches of chicks as if one set get problems you don't risk them all that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I agree with Jools ...all that hard work for nothing. As you are a relatively inexperienced hatcher, I'd let the broodies raise them. I'd even slip the chicks from the incubator under the broodies at night. Far better for them to grow up in a more natural environment IMHO. The mess indoors from that number of chicks will not be inconsiderable,, which is another point to factor into the equation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Think I will monitor them very closely and move them only if absolutely necessary. Just as soon as I finished making my initial post, I turned round to see on of the Welsummer eggs in the incubator start to roll! webcam is now on! Will post the link in the main chicken section for all to see. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I think moving them would be really mean, I added one in last night to the 2 already hatched and my silkie/pekin was thrilled, started chirruping and tucking him under her straight away Checked this am and he is fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I had a broody sat on 6 eggs for a friend when i rang him to tell him they had hatched he said i will be round in the morning to pick them up i told him that was not the deal they are staying here until at least 6 weeks so go do one im not leaving my poor broody without any babys leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I recently read about a breeder who has a team of 36 broodies sit more or less all at once then removes all chicks for brooder rearing I think the broodies forget quite quickly so i dont think its cruel as such but I do think its a real shame though for the mums not to be rewarded for siiting all that time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 let the broodies do the work thats what you pay them for all be it chicken feed sorry I've been waiting a long time to use that line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Just went out for a quick check. One of the chicks that had pipped earlier under the Orpington had a trace of blood around the hole. If it wasn't dead then, it is now as she literally smashed it to a pulp with her beak. Poor thing didn't stand a chance. I have removed all her pipping eggs and put them under the Maran. Think the dudes in the incubator are having 40 winks, or gone on strike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I don't think 2 broodies together will work When they are hatching they need their own space, mums are incredibly protective of their chicks. Move one to a big box where she can't be disturbed by others to brood her chicks in peace. I doubt if she 'smashed it to a pulp with her beak' she was probably just trying to help it out. If she is a new Mum they are sometimes inexperienced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Here's our very first chick, ever! Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted June 26, 2011 Author Share Posted June 26, 2011 I don't think 2 broodies together will work When they are hatching they need their own space, Spot on!!! When I went to check on them all earlier this evening, all hell had broke loose! The broodies were fighting like a pair of Cockerels and the poor chicks were in the middle of it all. Even when I had split them up and returned them to their nest boxes, they started taking it out on their chicks. All chicks were removed to our broody hut where they all fell asleep in a pile, underneath the heat lamp. I'd rather loose one of the broodies to injury than all the chicks. Lesson learned. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
