fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[NanaK]

Tamar: "I want chicks, too!"

I really believe sometimes the girls start hearing peeping and if any are having "mama" thoughts it can put them over the edge.

Not always but on more than 1 occasion I've had 1 girl hatch babies and within a week or so other girls start clucking, puffing up, etc.
Coincidence? Maybe.

I let 3 sit one summer. Lots of fun but that was a busy summer for me!
And all the boys.

I like to encourage broodyness in my flock. I love to watch a hen with chicks. Sometimes I have to force myself to set limits. Babies are so sweet!

 

[fuzzi]

I really believe sometimes the girls start hearing peeping and if any are having "mama" thoughts it can put them over the edge.

Not always but on more than 1 occasion I've had 1 girl hatch babies and within a week or so other girls start clucking, puffing up, etc.
Coincidence? Maybe.

I let 3 sit one summer. Lots of fun but that was a busy summer for me!
And all the boys.

I like to encourage broodyness in my flock. I love to watch a hen with chicks. Sometimes I have to force myself to set limits. Babies are so sweet!

I have two issues with letting Tamar brood:

1. She is low gal in the pecking order
2. Samuel is gone

I could get fertilized eggs for Tamar to brood, but #1 might still be an issue.

 

[1muttsfan]

Most Mamas pick up their game when they have babies to protect.

I've got a whole basket of little brown eggs sitting on my counter just waiting for somewhere to go...

 

[fuzzi]

Sunday afternoon...

...an experiment:

Cleaned out my spare feeder, which I finally located.

Almost dry. I'm planning on placing it in the back of the coop.

I added some straw to the nest boxes, and the wheelbarrow, where most of the eggs are being laid.

Rahab dug a cave, and was completely covered by straw...is she going broody now, too?

 

[fuzzi]

Most Mamas pick up their game when they have babies to protect.

I've got a whole basket of little brown eggs sitting on my counter just waiting for somewhere to go...
View attachment 3815182View attachment 3815184

Let me see if Rahab is serious, as she doesn't let anyone push her around. Tamar is pretty much last in the pecking order, I have qualms about her ability to defend her chicks.

 

[fuzzi]

Most Mamas pick up their game when they have babies to protect.

I've got a whole basket of little brown eggs sitting on my counter just waiting for somewhere to go...
View attachment 3815182View attachment 3815184

Your roo is gorgeous.

 

[fuzzi]

Well, is she? Or isn't she?

She's currently sitting on two faux eggs.

Rahab is scouting out locations. She was investigating the back of the brooder...

 

[1muttsfan]

If she is that test pattern hen, definitely broody. I can hardly look at that bird without getting a headache

 

[fuzzi]

If she is that test pattern hen, definitely broody. I can hardly look at that bird without getting a headache

Let me see how the girls are acting tomorrow, after work. If they're still acting broody, then I am willing to take a chance if you are.

 

[1muttsfan]

You could put eggs under both. They will just be eaten otherwise.