2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[jeshen]

Golda (year-old buff pekin) hatched one chick (Nora) on May 31. Today I've removed the other 3 eggs which were duds. They were in a mess as Golda had pooed over them. She was also in an awful mess (looked like diarrhoea - is this normal?) so I've bathed her rear in warm soapy water and towel-dried her and put in clean bedding for her and the chick. The problem is that she's gone back to sitting as if she was still on eggs and is not bothering to look after the poor chick, who is cheeping pathetically! I've sprinkled a bit of chick crumb on the hemcore bedding as Nora doesn't seem to have noticed the bowl of crumb, and she's eaten a bit. I've also dipped her beak in water, which she didn't like. Am I doing the right thing? Don't want to lose her or Golda, and I feel today's a bit crucial being the 3rd day, as Nora won't have any reserve of yolk by now. How do I get Golda to do her maternal duties?!

[sjp]

if she's in a broody coop and run open the coop door so that the light gets in and gets her stimulated to switch to been a mom not an incubator just keep and eye on her as you might need to help the chick feed and drink of a little while today, or worst case hand rear it but hopfully once the chick get running about she'll start to mother it

[jeshen]

Thanks sjp. It was very cold and wet outside and I was worried that Golda was still damp after I'd cleaned her up so I've ended up bringing both her and little Nora into the kitchen in a big plastic box lined with newspaper and hemcore. Have put chick crumb and water in with them. Golda's now dried out although she's very puffed-up and making broody noises still. The little chick seems very chirpy and has eaten some chick crumbs. Not seen her drink yet, but I guess she might have done. The dog is wondering why he's not allowed in the kitchen! Not sure whether I should put them back outside overnight or keep them in until the weather warms up a bit. My instinct is to keep them both indoors in the warm.

[mimi5]

If it's any help I have Molly and her babies inside and it means you'll be able to monitor the chick. You could also sprinKle chick crumbs to encourage mum to "scratch".

 

Sorry your other eggs didn't hatch Did I remembered they had chilled ?? I thought they might be delayed in hatching, but good call for moving on!! Some hens aren't as good as mums are they?? Milly my first broody pekin in better than my second Molly, but I guess they have different personalities!!

 

Best wishes

[jeshen]

Thanks Mimi - didn't realise you had yours indoors too. (Are they able to run around or are they restricted in a box like mine?) As you say, they're all quite different personalities. Golda's always been a bit dippy, but at least she's hatched one successfully! (Yes, she did leave the eggs for a little while early on, but the eggs were still luke-warm so I don't think it was for long.) Yes, I did throw some crumbs on the hemcore. The chick seemed to get the knack of scratching without being shown by mum! Have got some gorgeous photos! Good luck with yours!

[mimi5]

Yes I've ended up keeping both broodys inside, using indoor guinea pig hutches. It has worked well as I could keep an eye on the hen & eggs and didn't worry over our awfully wet weather!!!!! (chilly too!!) They do have a bit of room, but the mummy's start to get a bit stir crazy!!!

 

Then once they've chicks, I'm waiting for good weather to put them out. Milly and her 4 have been out for about a week and a half and hopefully Molly and her little group of 3 will go out tue (weather being favourable???)

 

Did you say pics????? Please post some!! They are so cute but grow up SOO fast!!