Yay!
One of my hens is broody and we put eggs under her! They are silkie bantems and the three weeks will be over this thursday!
Unfortunately we have to give them back when they hatch but i will still see them sometimes because they will live at a farm nearby.
At first we got 6 eggs but they smashed 2 and ate them and 1 has a big crack in it. So if we are lucky we will have 3 beautiful little silky batems!
Just wondering about a few things as a first time egg raiser:
Should we leave them with the mum or put them in a box with a warm light?
Do we need to put chick feed as well as normal feed or will their mum feed them?
Will we need to put the nest box on the ground or will they be able to jump up into their nest box (the box is about 30cm of the ground)
Does thunder vibrations really kill the chicks in the eggs or is that just a myth (we have had alot of thunder storms lately)
And lastly, do hens ever die from starvation when they are on the nest? She can drink from a cupped hand but doesnt seem to be able to grab pelets from your hand.
New mum :Specky!
Congrats!!!! I wish I could help you. I am sure someone will be along soon with great wisdom!
Good luck!!!!!
As long as it is warm enough, you can leave them with the mum. If it is freezing outside at night, it might be best to bring them in. Chick feed would be best for them. The pellet feed is too large. She will show them how to peck for feed. Chick feed is nice and tiny for them. You could also use medicated chick feed for the first 3-4 weeks - I do - to prevent coccidiosis. Initially, they will not be able to jump 30 cm. After about 2 weeks, mine can jump/flap/fly their way on top of the cosy brooder lamp, which is about 12 cm tall. I have never ever heard about the thunder thing. I have not heard of hens dying from starvation. They usually get off the nest once a day to drink/eat/poop for about 15 minutes. I do my hatching in an incubator at the moment, so that is my experience, although I'd like to have broody hens in the spring. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Claire
chickengrl,
congrats on the eggs and broody mama. I don't know the answers to all your questions, but just wanted to wish you well.
What ever became of the rooster you were hoping to find a home? Did all work out as we had hope???
No it didnt work out.
He went away from the farm and his "Three sopranos" did to.
Oh yeah I forgot ,the Three Sopranos were his Rooster Bros and they all hung out under this shady tree. It was soo cute!
Any way I didnt want to ask where he went but i reckon they sent him to a meat house.
:( Still at least I got new Bubas !
OK, sorry to have drudged up the topic. :*-(
Love those new bubas!
chicken girl, if you take them babies from the mom, she will continue to be broody. if it is cold put her with her chicks in a cage or pen
Hey Chickengirl you must know Grownut her Bro is a Soprano and lives in berlin. So sorry to hear about your roo and congrats on the newbies chicks are so adorable especialy silkies they just balls of fuzz ^_^
!!!!!!!!!!!1 has hatched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I REPEAT, 1 HAS HATCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im not sure why but It seems to have 5 toes on each foot! Is that the norm for silkies?
Any way it is such a cute little thing and hasnt even dried out yet
It is sooooooooooo cute !!!!!!!
PS: sorry about all the exclaimation marks, Im so excited!
hehe - yes that normal. My lil silkie cross had 5 toes.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Enjoy that lil baby!
This is the lil baby!Sorry for my finger in front of it ,just didnt want it to fall
And enjoy this picture as well!
How sweet! Makes me miss the babies even more!
very cute!
Awwwwww what a darling booboo baby! Makes me talk silly.. My silkie babiez come running to me when I say Where's my toot tooot tooot LOL
Congratulations.. you must be in heaven right now!
Im floating on air!
Congrats on the fine looking hatchlings! They are so cute and fluffy!