Might have a broody!!

[MaureenHall]

Oooooooooo all excited now!! Got back from holiday yesterday and after chatting to my girls, went to collect the eggs. 13 in with the Bluebelles because my friend was a bit nervous of going into the run with Basil so she'd left what had been laid for about 3 days. In the big coop there were 5 very warm eggs in 1 nest box and 1 in another .......................... had one of my girls been keeping them warm? Today, I've been out twice to collect the eggs and one of my girls is quite happily sitting in a nest box, and has been there all day (possibly all night too!) I really really really hope I've got a broody I've just put 10 Bluebelle eggs into an incubator this morning but I've got another 6 that are possibly fertile from the Bluebelles ready to go into another incubator later on in the week (when I've got 10). Think I'd better start making a broody coop just in case!

[Bramble-Poultry]

ooo - exciting news mo - heres hoping - one of our ex batts has started to show signs of being broody too - so fingers crossed.

[Suechooks]

As a total newbie with hatching - well not even that cos I've never hatched any - how late in the year would you put eggs in incubator/under broody? Just a rhetorical question you understand!!!!!! No intentions of trying any - just like I had no intention of taking a carrying box to the sale today! The incubator is sitting in it's original packing just begging to be used!

[MaureenHall]

Thinking things through logically (who me? logical?? ) I suppose if you want to hatch chicks who will grow to laying age that year, then we're probably getting a bit late. Having said that, last November Lynda put some eggs in her incubator and hatched out 6, 3 girls, 3 boys. The girls started laying around March/April (I think), 2 of the boys went to live with Bluemoon and the other boy was dinner.

Anyway, as Precious is still sitting snug, I've pinched todays eggs from her and replaced them with the Bluebelles that I was saving. If she stays sat, then fine, she'll get tomorrows eggs too, if not then they'll go in the incubator like I first planned. Want to try and get some babies from Basil before he becomes dinner Next job is to sort out a broody coop for her, one that's been totally and thoroughly red mite and louse treated (just in case) and where she can see everyone but not be disturbed by them. Hmmmmm thinking I might have to chuck the 2 month old chicks (who are as big as the ex-batts now anyway) in the big coop and use theirs as a broody. I need a plan

[Bephlam]

Is Basil going to become dinner at some point Mo? I thought he was your baby!

[di]

Aaaaarrgghhh!!!
A couple of days ago I'd have said "Don't do it!"...however,just heard cheeping eggs,()so the stresses of the last few days are nothing but memories...which of course will be stored away & remembered & acted upon next time!
Fingers crossed firmly for you Mo that she stays sat tight!xxx

[Glutton4...]

Ooooh it's soooo exciting! I'm not ever planning on hatching anything, but I love to hear everyone else's stories! Good luck Aunty Mo, fingers crossed!

[MaureenHall]

Is Basil going to become dinner at some point Mo? I thought he was your baby!

'Fraid he might become dinner at some point Bephlam. He attacked me a couple of weeks ago, got the scars to prove it He has behaved himself though since I clattered him for doing it and sent him flying into the water bucket , I think his dignity was dented He's got 1 more chance and if he attacks again, then it's bye bye Basil, I can't be having an aggressive bird of whatever sex when I have my grandchildren visiting

[bluemoon]

As a total newbie with hatching - well not even that cos I've never hatched any - how late in the year would you put eggs in incubator/under broody? Just a rhetorical question you understand!!!!!! No intentions of trying any

Wot Sue said.

[Nicos]

Babies...yey!!!!

[MaureenHall]

Precious is still sitting tight I've put another 3 Bluebelle eggs under her so that's 9 altogether. Think I'll leave it at that otherwise there could be problems with delayed hatchings (if I get any at all that is!!) Next step is to move her to her own pad when it's available

[MaureenHall]

Today's update Precious is still doing what good broodies should - I think she's read the instruction manual!!! She comes out with the rest of the gang first thing in the morning to have a drink, eat and poo then sits quietly for most of the day. She pops out again late afternoon to do the same. I think she's putting the others off laying though, I'm only getting 1 or 2 eggs a day from the other 10 ex-batts so I'd better get a move on with this work!!!! I'm not putting any more eggs under her, she's got 9, and there's another 10 in the incubator, so if anyone wants to help me test fertility, you're more than welcome to have some Bluebelle eggs free for an incubator or under a broody

[di]

Auntie Mo...you should be ashamed of yourself!We've all admitted our addiction & here you are encouraging it!
Pleased Precious is doing well.

[MaureenHall]

Well that's my job!!!!!! innit?

[Bramble-Poultry]

Addiction - what addiction - i'm not addicted, i'm still in the denial stage