laurmurf Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 we've just hatched some of OH's welsummers (*yawn* give me TNNs any day) but while the broody was fab at sitting tight on the eggs she's been rubbish since they hatched to the extent that one's died already and we're having to help out. She still sat tight on the chicks even after hatching, which we didn't worry about initially, but 48 hours on and no signs of her moving and we got anxious about them eating and drinking. By the time we'd lifted her one wee one was fading and the others looked quite weak. We've had to lift her off them several times and dip their beaks in water and show them where food is but even this didn't stop one dying (probably of dehydration). We've then had to move her off them again and sprinkle chick crumb all around the pen and let her settle back on the chicks over the food so that they can eat. I've always supported hatching with broodies over incy because mum does all the hard work - well, someone call social services because she's just awful! (oh, and to make matters worse she keeps doing broody poos just about on their heads ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I'm no expert as I've only hatched once and that was with a broody, but I'd be off to try and put together a brooder and take those chicks away has her behaviour changed at all since you've been 'helping out'? Hope it all works out for you and the chicks xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 It sounds like she hasn't snapped out of her zombified broody state and is still insisting on sitting. If she were mine, as long as the weather was ok (it is here but I know others have heavy rain) I'd chuck her and the chicks into a run outside. Hopefully she'll scratch around and show the chicks some tasty bugs and things. That might encourage her to play a more active role in their upbringing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted April 20, 2012 Author Share Posted April 20, 2012 that's more or less what we did, Griffin. she just couldn't snap out of the broodiness until we shook it out of her. She's fine now and the chicks are all healthy and growing. She's still not the best but she'll do (for boring old welsummers anyway....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Nothing wrong with Welsummers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted April 20, 2012 Author Share Posted April 20, 2012 boring pretty chickens I like mine with more decollatage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 She's still not the best but she'll do (for boring old welsummers anyway....) Ahh poor welsummers, I have four two week welsummer chicks and they are not boring Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Knowing you Laurie I can see why welsummers would not float your boat.... But if OH is happy this may pave the way for the next hatch of call girls or game birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
