GrandMOM to be....

[Flummery]

Is broodiness catching? Don't go too near!

[Nicos]

Is broodiness catching? Don't go too near!

Oh my dear Flum!!!!...I've not got the energy


yup- I think incubators must be easier- although in theory I should have nothing to do with this lot!!!!

[MaureenHall]

It all sounds really eggsiting Hope some hatch at the weekend

[MaureenHall]

Any sign of any hatchlings yet Nicos?

[Nicos]

...thanks for asking!

Nope- all cleaned out- and nesting boxes enlarged and extra bedding- so just waiting!!!

Looks like there are only 2 due ..and 10 others over the next 16 days!!!

Put up a bar so they can't fall out of their boxes- but now I'm a bit worried cos it's so cold!!

Had a listen to the eggs - but no pipping sounds ( tis very difficult with mum there in case I disturb her!!)

Now starting to think that this laid back attitude to grand MOM ship is a bit negligent!!

[Nicos]

Yey!!!!

well - right on time- one of the 3 eggs due to hatch has started to 'tick'

I'm presuming it's tapping the shell to get out????

...is that what is called pipping????

Ok...bit of a panic moment cos it's so cold here- I hope the chick will stay under mum when it hatches cos it'll be wet???

[shirlthegirl43]

Ooh, I love little chicks. I think instinct will make any babies stay snug and cosy under mum.

[lynda66]

awwwwww bless, mum will keep them snug and warm chickens have duvets

yup is pipping have you got the door closed so theres no draughts?

[Nicos]

have you got the door closed so theres no draughts?

nope...but on my way to do it now!!!

[Nicos]

Done!(thanks)..will put them properly to bed early anyway tonight as I'm going out later

[lynda66]

it's all ecxiting innit ..... i watched for hours, when 2 had pipped, then pingu, just suddenly popped out in about 2 minutes (she doesn't like being last at anything lol)

[Nicos]

I'm off out to keep fit in a mo ( more like GET fit)so I'll go and spend a few minutes with them before I go..just to check up you know!

Urm..I do have a bit of a dilemma though- and wondered what your views are....

Bertha has 3 of her own eggs which may hatch in the next 24 hrs, BUT she's sharing her nesting box with Pheasant whose 4(ish)chicks are due in 2 weeks.....problem is that there are another 2 or 3 eggs in there of a time zone inbetween.
They keep nicking each others eggs so I'm worried mum might not be the one sitting on her eggs as they hatch( and they both may think they have one chick each and give up on the others)

Now- it seems straight forward to put Pheasant in her own box- but I tried that before and she left the eggs and sat with Bertha - and nicked some of her eggs . If I do that again, then her eggs may be abandoned again, and die.

So- I'm tempted to leave things be and hope the two mums don't abandon the last 7.

Betty is due to hatch next week so I could put the inbetweenies in with her if it looks like there'll be a problem.
Problem is that it's so cold I'm sure the eggs would die if abandoned for more than 1/2 hr????

Another case of 'do not interfere my dear'????????

[shirlthegirl43]

We used to have banties who shared nests - they stood in for each other to keep eggs warm until they all hatched. Hopefully your girls will do the same.

[lynda66]

you can't go out lol

think i'd leave them but keep an eye out for mum leaving the nest, and transfer them to the next nest if she abandons them, make sure the next due to hatch eggs are with the mum who's babies are due to hatch next, then the longest ones with the 3rd chook, that way you get the best possible outcome, though you may lose a couple, or you could put any late abandoned ones in your bra

[Nicos]

Thanks Shirl- it just seems 5 weeks of sitting seems a long time for Bertha- or are they quite OK with that?

Just worried if they had one chick each, they may abandon all the other eggs to take the babes off to feed????

Urmmm...you think I'm worrying to much then ( as usual????)