Broody Hen Surprise

[user 7704]

I let my broody hen sit on 4 eggs and today I went to gather eggs and one has hatched.

I was shocked. It's our first time even trying and these eggs were very small.

I just went and checked and 2 more eggs are cracking. I'm going to move them to the adjoining apartment when the excitement is over. I have no idea about feeding this type of chick. I've always purchased mine and kept them indoors.

I so excited. It's the simple things in life

 

[tmttactical]

Congrats, boys or girls? Where are the cigars?

 

[user 7704]

Congrats, boys or girls? Where are the cigars?

It takes quite a while to tell sex. May have a couple more in the morning.

The rooster is guarding and giving me The evil eye

 

[user 7704]

Told my husband that at least we know we can be self sufficient on the protein front if SHTF

 

[Dani]

https://m.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Sex-of-a-Chicken
if you really want to determine the sex of chicks early on this may help you out.

 

[user 7704]

Last year, when I decided to try for a roo, I studies all of these.

I ended by using the wing size method.

I ended up with 50/50 . Soooo

 

[brandx]

It is very difficult to tell the sex of a chick, at least that is what I have read.

 

[user 7704]

I know they have specialists at the hatcheries, but that's above my pay grade.

 

[Dani]

Years ago I watched an episode of Dirty Jobs that had Mike Rowe feeling the chicks anus to determine sex. I don't remember what the differences were. Probably blocked that out cause not something I would not want to do. I don't have an issue checking wings though. Did that on a neighbors. . . He was so proud hatching an egg in his incubator . Us, we don't care. Girls get to be layers and boys go into the freezer.

 

[user 7704]

Two more pecked their way out but died. All that work.

 

[Maverick]

Next year I'm raising rock cornish strictly for cooking (broilers) The kids were going to raise prairie hens but the price tag for the juvenile pair was steep at over $500, they are pretty but not at that price.

 

[user 7704]

Next year I'm raising rock cornish strictly for cooking (broilers) The kids were going to raise prairie hens but the price tag for the juvenile pair was steep at over $500, they are pretty but not at that price.

I give about $3 per chick at Tractor Supply. I like the Rhode Island Reds. Mostly I get dual purpose, but I've never eaten one.

 

[Gazrok]

It takes quite a while to tell sex

I think it's all guesswork until they are older, lol...

I like the Rhode Island Reds

Me too. Even my lone survivor typically lays an egg a day.

 

[user 7704]

The baby has feathered feet like his daddy. The roo is absolutely beautiful.

Langshan..... nickname gentle giant.

They eat out of my hand. They are guarding the nest now though. Good sign.

 

[brandx]

I thought this was good information for broody hens, chicks and answered some questions I had.
www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chicks.html

 

[user 7704]

I thought this was good information for broody hens, chicks and answered some questions I had.
www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chicks.html

Thanks. I am rather shocked that 3 of the 4 died after popping the egg.

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you

 

[brandx]

Thanks. I am rather shocked that 3 of the 4 died after popping the egg.

I enjoyed this very much. Thank you

You're welcome. I thought it was good info, things that weren't in my book and had more references to go to as well. I didn't realize the temperature was so fiercely important. 90- 95 only. I guess here they could overheat really easily. It is 99 today. How does one keep them cool and have no breeze? AC for chickens? LOL

 

[user 7704]

I don't use heat lamps anymore, but those are very hot.

I use the Brinsea and love it. I was hoping to get 4 or 5 chicks before Winter. I have 4 more eggs under another broody girl.

My Speckled Sussex and Gold Laced Wyandottes are my broody girls. I was told it would be the Buff Orpington

 

[Gazrok]

How does one keep them cool and have no breeze? AC for chickens? LOL

Totally know people who do, or use temp controlled fans. That's just too much for me to get into, for chicks I can pick up for $2 and change.

 

[user 7704]

Totally know people who do, or use temp controlled fans. That's just too much for me to get into, for chicks I can pick up for $2 and change.

Me too.

 

[Gazrok]

It's weird....my lone surviving hen is still laying an egg a day at least. I've always got over a dozen eggs in the fridge. So can't complain there.

Wife really wants to get new chicks though. (just can't put her in with 'em). Birds are just sadistic cannibals, if you didn't know.

 

[user 7704]

It's weird....my lone surviving hen is still laying an egg a day at least. I've always got over a dozen eggs in the fridge. So can't complain there.

Wife really wants to get new chicks though. (just can't put her in with 'em). Birds are just sadistic cannibals, if you didn't know.

I co-mingle my old and new, but it takes time. The Chicken Chick has great info on the playpen method and others.

I made an adjoining apartment with a wire door so they can get to know each other without actually touching. After a while, the can be put together. That's how I always introduce the new chickens

 

[Gazrok]

That was my guess at it, glad to see it vetted out.

 

[tmttactical]

stubborn' hen sitting on massive snake.

Here is an article I found interesting and very strange.



http://www.foxnews.com/science/2018...n-sitting-on-massive-snake-in-wild-photo.html

 

[user 7704]

Hell no. I would freak out.

 

[Dani]

That sucker would be immediately evicted. . . From this eart. I'm with Robin. . . Oh hell no!!!

 

[user 7704]

The mom and chick ventured out this afternoon. The mom just wanted a dirt bath. (Sand). Had a couple little arguments, but it was okay.

The chick decided to make a dash for the front run where 18 chickens are. In and out of their legs. I chased and finally caught the chick and put her in the apartment. She was crying, the mom was crying because she couldn't find it.

Finally the adventure ended and everyone is safe.

This is my exciting life and I love it.

 

[Mountain trapper]

The hatchery that we bought our meat chickens from last spring always throws in a free exotic chick with each 25 birds ordered. They don't say what breed they send with the order but this time they threw in a little black chick. Since I took all the meat chickens away to be butchered she is now alone. So she seems to have adopted me and the dog as her flock. She follows us around everywhere and she sleeps with the dog on the front porch. When the garden is done for the season we'll let the laying hens out and she'll join them.

 

[user 7704]

The hatchery that we bought our meat chickens from last spring always throws in a free exotic chick with each 25 birds ordered. They don't say what breed they send with the order but this time they threw in a little black chick. Since I took all the meat chickens away to be butchered she is now alone. So she seems to have adopted me and the dog as her flock. She follows us around everywhere and she sleeps with the dog on the front porch. When the garden is done for the season we'll let the laying hens out and she'll join them.

Awwww, how sweet. Mom's neighbor says a racoon is sleeping in the cats bed with the cat and 3 kittens.

 

[Gazrok]

I have raccoons that come and night if the cats leave any dry food....so I try to give them just enough, so no leftovers. I have to put a dolly on top of the feed can, or they'll get into it, and cat food everywhere......