mimi5 Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Hello fellow omleteers I haven't been on here for a little while......have peeked occasionally though Life has been tough for me lots of difficult life stuff going on! You name it I've been dealing with it, family issues, health, financial & work woes too At a very low point I nearly re-homed my shrinking pekin gang last summer Well, I didn't though sadly I lost Tilly (shell less egg layer) and a couple of months back Molly my last original. So the good news.....hubby says I can hatch again So now the questions!!!! Hope for any and all advice Have 2 "Monty" baby girls - Polly and Penny. Polly is my bully/feather puller Penny sweet thing has been bottom girl and after a heavy moult just being treated for sour crop Hope she pulls through In my kitchen as I type!!! Martha lovely hen, bought hatching egg. They will all be 3 over the next few months. Definitely want to use Martha's eggs to hatch Oh yes have a plan for any boys. 1. Can I hatch from Penny if she pulls through and starts to lay again? 2. Should I NOT hatch from Polly?? Will her babies be bullies?? 3. Would it be a good idea to use Polly as broody to give the others a break from her? (She is also in tip top condition ) 4. Any tips for using a classic with run as a broody coop/chick home? 5. Can't get the "small bird set" from omlet any ideas for how to make the run safe for bantam chicks? 6. Should I get some bantam Araucana eggs to hatch? (bit of a dream for a while) Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I can help with 4 and 5 I have hatched bantie eggs under a broody in a Classic. I just take the roosting bars out and fill the lot with straw. I add a ramp so that the new babies can get in and out but I often wonder whether it's necessary. Never had a problem with the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Hi, Not sure I can help with everything. Don't think bullying is genetic and I'm sure once the sour crop is sorted your girlie will be fine. I used a Go with 3m run last year for hen and chicks. I took the roosting bars out and put a big thick layer of bedding inside. I covered the whole of the run with plastic coated chicken wire making sure there were no little gaps for the chicks to get stuck in between run and mesh. When the chicks were new born I blocked off the pop hole so they couldn't escape but the sun could still come in. Arauncana bantams sound lovely Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thank you both Arauncana bantams sound lovely Yes I've found somebody who has hatching eggs for sale in the cuckoo variety I was thinking about a ramp for little legs Just another quick thought....do the chicks find it easy to get in & out of the nest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Nothing to add just Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahato3 Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I can only add that I have an amazing lavender araucana, olive, who came into lay around sixteen months ago. She lays the most beautiful pale green eggs and is a prolific layer. Throughout that time she has consistently laid, whatever the weather, and has seldom skipped a day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hello Mimi! I've been a bit of a lurker myself recently...hope everything goes well for hatching and you have a much better year this year Hope Penny is OK! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I've hatched loads in a classic - all bantams. Took the roosting bars out, gave it a thorough clean, spray and powder, layered with Aubiose. Make sure to pop down some non-slip stuff (I use that rubberised webbing you can get from pound shops) as soon as the chicks hatch; this will help them to potter about for the first few days, and avoids splayed legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Good to see you back, Mimi, and hope everything goes well for you this year in all ways. Best of luck with hatching. Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Welcome back mimi. It has been a while. I hope all things chook related get sorted and that this is a better year for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Welcome back Wishing you a better year all round Best wishes . Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 So sad about Penny, but don't give up on your dreams. Polly could incubate your arauncana bantams, I bet she'll be really good at it. Probably try to bite your hand off when you want to inspect chicks, but that won't make her a bad mum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
