Tom and Barbara Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 We've now got 3 other girls broody We've already done 4 hatchings and have a girl currently sitting due to hatch this weekend but our attempts to get these 3 off broody are failing miserably. I know some people were saying they wish theirs would go broody as they'd love chicks - I'm just wondering if we can help any of them?? Kill two birds as it were? It would help us get the girls off broody to let them be mums and your chicks would get a good start in life. If anyone is within distance of the Severn Bridge/Bristol area, and would like to make use of a broody hen pm me. Though obviously, please consider very carefully what you would do with the subsequent chicks and particularly any cockerels you might get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 That's a lovely offer Claire, I know how you feel - my bantams go broody at the drop of a hat, and Lesley currently has Lily rearing some chicks for her. As Tom and Barbara have said, please consider carefully what you will do with the resulting chickies, especially the boys and how you will house them. Mixed breed cockerels are difficut to find homes for, so unless you have any empty roasting tin, please give it careful thought. Not wanting to put a dampener on things, just to urge caution; just like puppies and kittens, chicks are cute, but they need homes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Plus even if you are willing to eat them. Are you willing to despatch them. This was my trouble so I visited my local farm to ask for help (which was offered) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 Wise words - and thanks for re-iterating my words of warning. I'm only too happy to help people have some lovely chicks but we have to be responsible chicken-owners. I do have some places happy to take my cockerels but I think I've exhausted my sources for this year, which is why we don't want to hatch any more for ourselves. Anyhoo, the offer is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 thank you guys, the three ladies have all been 'booked' - here's to successful hatching! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 That was quick - but I'm not at all surprised! Another word of warning. The day they are due to hatch, you will get nothing, absolutely nothing, done. I've only looked under my broody three times today - which is three too many but about thirty less than I wanted to look! So far I have two out and two more starting. Can't wait until I can have another peak in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Great news! Here's to happy hatching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 That was quick - but I'm not at all surprised! Another word of warning. The day they are due to hatch, you will get nothing, absolutely nothing, done. I've only looked under my broody three times today - which is three too many but about thirty less than I wanted to look! So far I have two out and two more starting. Can't wait until I can have another peak in the morning that's so true! it NEVER happens when it should so you spend the day pacing up and down and trying not to look every 2 mins hopefully if these hatches are successful there should be gold, white, blue and black silkies........must.....not......keep.....any........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 This morning I have five little black bundles of fluff - but most have the white head spot which indicates boys in Marans. It's not foolproof though, so I'll stay hopeful until they're three weeks old, then it's easy to tell them apart. Sadly there was one little yellow chick kicked out of the nest - it looked as though it had hatched okay but had either died or mum decided she only wanted black babies. It's sad though because it was one of her own eggs. Just one egg left now - Marans x RIR - so I'll leave her for today to see what happens to it. Excitement over for another year - must get on with some work now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Congratulations Jools! The black spot was accurate on all but one of our last brood so good idea to wait and see, you never know! I really would love a maran. We ALMOST gained one on Sunday. We were driving through Latteridge and there's a really busy country road that lorries hurtle down....anyhoo....we were driving along and I suddenly yelled 'CHICKEN!' and pulled over as soon as I could. Dave wandered back and sure enough there were 4 chickens bimbling along the road edge. He went back to the last property we'd seen and the guy actually pulled up while we were there. We explained we'd stopped because his chickens were out on the road and wanted to help him get them safe........his reply.......'oh they get onto the road all the time'. Oh. So we got in our car and left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Sounds like a pub near my folks place in Stalham - the chooks and bunnies are always getting out onto the high street - no-one minds though as they act as a good traffic calming measure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Puts a whole new spin on 'playing chicken' though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastie Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 thank you guys, the three ladies have all been 'booked' - here's to successful hatching! Good luck Tom and Barbara. I wish I had seen your post earlier. I acquired 6 light sussex eggs. Unfortunately, our incubator only holds three eggs and the bigger incubator I've bought hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow and it won't be too late. Anyway, good luck and let us know how you get on. Coastie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted June 21, 2007 Author Share Posted June 21, 2007 I can put more eggs under one girl if you get stuck and need a broody - i'm about 5 mins down the road from you in Caldicot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
