Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[chooksRCute]

Feeling quite chuffed, my always broody Sussex finally got her wish - to egg sit!!

Gave her 6 CLB eggs & she did me proud.....4 girls & 1 boy.

 

 

[mullethunter]

4 girls and 1 boy

 

Buy a lottery ticket

[chooksRCute]

4 girls and 1 boy

 

Buy a lottery ticket

 

Haha Mullethunter, I think that would be pushing my luck a bit far..... If I do have any left, let it go towards a non crowing cockeral

[Luvachicken]

Oooooh I hadn't seen these until now.

They are very sweet and how lucky to get mostly girls

[sjp]

4 girls and 1 boy

 

Buy a lottery ticket

 

Haha Mullethunter, I think that would be pushing my luck a bit far..... If I do have any left, let it go towards a non crowing cockeral

better odds than I've had in the last 2 years playing the hatching lottery

[chooksRCute]

Thankyou all, 11 weeks old today & lovely looking girls. I've sold a trio which has covered my costs as far as rearing them....so all in all a very positive experience. Unfortunately Duchess the broody I used must have seen the youngsters leave because she's just gone broody again

I've had stern words....this was a once off experience no more mothering!

I feel a bit mean putting her in the cage of shame after she's done such a good job

[mullethunter]

 

Your positive experience is tempting me to give it a go next year, but knowing my luck I'd end up with all males

[chooksRCute]

 

Your positive experience is tempting me to give it a go next year, but knowing my luck I'd end up with all males

 

I've really enjoyed it, if I did it again I'd start earlier in the year then hopefully get them laying before Christmas. It really wasn't any hassle, got a cheap brooder & second hand run off eBay.

I'd thought about the boys & planned to grow them on then cull & eat them. Luckily I didn't have to put thought into action. But as fate has it I've just had to cull one of my hybrids (1st time) who broke her leg landing badly off the Cube roof. Very sad but pleased I was able to do the deed myself with dignity & no stress for her

[sjp]

Thankyou all, 11 weeks old today & lovely looking girls. I've sold a trio which has covered my costs as far as rearing them....so all in all a very positive experience. Unfortunately Duchess the broody I used must have seen the youngsters leave because she's just gone broody again

I've had stern words....this was a once off experience no more mothering!

I feel a bit mean putting her in the cage of shame after she's done such a good job

there is a chance they'll be laying for Christmas I find that they need to be laying before the end of October through

[chooksRCute]

SJP, purely out of curiosity when would you advise setting the eggs to have POL by October?

[sjp]

SJP, purely out of curiosity when would you advise setting the eggs to have POL by October?

I works back about 23 weeks minimum plus 21 days incubation personally I prefer my pullets to start to lay at about 23 weeks at the earliest all my best layers are girls that started to lay between 23 -28 weeks old my bad ones are/were 18 weeks and a little over 30 weeks

I only hatch with broodies now as the incubator stop working early part of the year this is the first year in about 4 years that I haven't got a clutch due the week before August bank holiday it's been the only hatch I really planed

[chooksRCute]

So SJP you're suggesting to set the eggs earlier in March? Unfortunately I let my Broody sit for 10 days before I set the eggs under her as it was her & my first time hatching. I was advised to test whether she had serious intentions to stay the course. If I'm tempted again I will get the eggs under her a lot sooner so, yes probably late March if she should honour me with her (so far regular) broodiness!

Have to agree using a Broody hen is so easy, I mean they do all the work.

 

First I need to be tempted by some unusual breeds.....umm Frizzles maybe!!

[sjp]

So SJP you're suggesting to set the eggs earlier in March? Unfortunately I let my Broody sit for 10 days before I set the eggs under her as it was her & my first time hatching. I was advised to test whether she had serious intentions to stay the course. If I'm tempted again I will get the eggs under her a lot sooner so, yes probably late March if she should honour me with her (so far regular) broodiness!

Have to agree using a Broody hen is so easy, I mean they do all the work.

 

First I need to be tempted by some unusual breeds.....umm Frizzles maybe!!

Eggs set March 31st eggs should hatch around April 21st they'll 18 weeks around August 25th

eggs set April 30th eggs should hatch around May 21st they'll be 18 weeks around September 24th

only weak link is the broody getting one to to go broody a few of days before the date you pick to set eggs.

I've set eggs under a good broody after 3 days and she's sat but she's also walk away from them under the same circumstances, I made the mistake of moving her in day light first attempt this year, moved her 2 nights later and she sat more or less tight 15 days then seemed to get bored but put her on lock down a day and half early and she hatched 5 chicks 24 hours their about 7 weeks old on Friday