The great broody experiment (new pics p 18)

[freemotion]

Mama had her four chicks outside today to feed them some grain and some worms....successful with the worms! I ground some grain coarsely and she was able to introduce that, too. She was out for maybe 20 minutes and went back in. It looks like one more egg might be pipping. Tiny triangular hole on one side.

I took the bottom flap of the box down so the chicks can get in and out.

 

[keljonma]

How cute! What a good mama hen you have there, Free!

 

[big brown horse]

Congradulations!!! Soo CUTE!

 

[punkin]

Awww . . . just cute!

Your hatch turned out better than mine. Out of the 3 hens and 25 eggs we started with, only two chicks made it.

Several of the eggs were eaten by one hen and the other refused any brooding chores.

The buff was the only one devoted to her duties. Just yesterday, we took the remaining 5 eggs. Three had dead chicks in them.

The two surviving ones sure are healthy and thriving. Soon, they will be going to a new home.

 

[Beekissed]

Beautiful hens and chicks, free!!! Such pretty markings!

My hatches didn't do well this year, either. I'm thinking I may need to replace my old roo for a younger model.

 

[big brown horse]

Beautiful hens and chicks, free!!! Such pretty markings!

My hatches didn't do well this year, either. I'm thinking I may need to replace my old roo for a younger model.

That's what I did except it wasn't my roo, it was my ex husband!

 

[Beekissed]

Me too....but I opted for a roo-less flock afterwards. Couldn't stand all that crowing and hopping around and no egg production!

 

[big brown horse]

 

[Lovechooks]

Oh those baby chookies are soooo cute!!! Are they for eggs or the pot .

 

[freemotion]

Pullets will be for the eggs and will be integrated into my flock. I would like to be able to produce my own replacement hens after a very bad experience getting FORCED into NAIS in spite of my objections. Voluntary, my &$$!!!

I will need a roo for that, so at least one cockeral will be allowed to grow up and reproduce. These were the last fertile eggs of the Rooster-Formerly-Known-As-George, whose marks I will ever bear on my legs. Any of his offspring who display his temperment will go into someone's pot, and sooner this time, before the scars are permanent. I may sound harsh, but I spent over a year being held hostage on my own property by a BIRD, and that was a year too long!

I am really leaning towards turkeys as a meat bird. More pounds per processing, but I can't say I am experienced! Only two turkeys raised and eaten here, and no chickens, as of yet. No one wanted to deal with George. He was over two years old, and we were too tired to process him after getting the turkeys done. My dad took care of the unpleasant part of business for me. DH went to the office!