More chicks

[Ridgerunner]

On Tuesday April 31 I gave this hen 15 eggs, just marked them and let her incubate with the flock. About a week later, one egg just disappeared. No idea what happened. That left her with 14.

This past Monday morning (about 30 hours early) she had at least three chicks. I left her alone so I have no idea how many she actually had hiding under her. Shes still on the nest this morning (Wednesday) but I carefully lifted her up to check under her. Two chicks fell out from under her wings so if you lift a broody be very careful how you do it.

One egg is left, which means she hatched 13 chicks. This photo only shows 10 but its the best I could do while trying to keep the broody from jumping back in the nest.

 

[lesa]

How wonderful! I wish I could get my chicks this way... right about now, having them in the house is not very appealing! She might need some help, when those chicks get bigger- maybe a flock mate will want to adopt a few! Good luck with the new babies!

 

[Ridgerunner]

A couple of years ago I had a hen raise 15 chicks, same size hen and same size chicks. In a couple of weeks they won't all be able to crowd under her but its warm enough now that should not be a problem.

I really like having a broody. They make it so much easier.

 

[canesisters]

That is so cool! What a good mama.
I've got 2 hens sharing 8 eggs. They're 'due' to hatch next weekend and I'm getting really excited to see what happens. This weekend, I'm hoping to FINALLY get that perch/poop shelf project completed so I can close in the 3'x8' area under it for them to keep the chicks till they grow a little.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Awe that is awesome!!! I love it! She did a great job. I love the blended family that she has. What a great variety.

I have 3 broodies sitting on eggs now. I am completely going to just leave them alone and see what happens. I moved one a bit last night to see what was under her. It looks like she litterally has 20 eggs under there! We'll see. If memory serves, I think my first one that went broody should be hatching next week. We are having a big cookout at the house on June 2nd. I would love to have a bunch of little chicks for people to see.

 

[peteyfoozer]

My buff orps are due to start hatching today, I think. I need her to get with the program so I can move my black broody into her spot. they keep wanting to go broody in the nesting boxes way above the ground and after the first chick hatches and bails out, they abandon all the rest of the eggs there!

 

[bj taylor]

my first time w/broody & chicks. we only ended up w/two, but she has done a magnificent job of raising these two. I don't have a rooster anymore, so no fertilized eggs for awhile. I've got a dozen half grown chicks. I think i'm going to choose a rooster out of that bunch. we'll see.

congratulations on such a big beautiful family

 

[desertlady]

Four Broody Hens

twelve baby chicks !!

 

[baymule]

Awww..... so sweet! I can't have a rooster, so no chicks for me unless I buy them. I love seeing the pics of the mommas and babies! Thanks for posting! Ridgerunner, that's some special hen ya' got there!

 

[Ridgerunner]

At least she knows how to hatch eggs. Lat year she hatched 11 of 11. This year, 13 out of 15. I'll take those hatches any day.