The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bionic on September 01, 2012, 02:43:29 pm

Title: Good mum
Post by: Bionic on September 01, 2012, 02:43:29 pm

My light sussex hen has been rearing 4 chicks that I bought by post. She is a great mum. They have a little hutch in the stable which I opened when they were a few days old and put a barrier round so that mum could stretch her legs but the chicks couldn't get out.
Well they are now 2 weeks old and have been getting out of their little pen for more than a week but are still confined to the stable. Mum walks round the stable with them watching whatever they do.
When I bring food she like to 'vet' it first. She gets upset if I put it directly into the bowl, prefering instead to take it from my hands and then giving it to the chicks when she has inspected it.
Awww, isn't mother nature wonderful.
 

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Mammyshaz on September 01, 2012, 05:06:44 pm

Aw well done mum  :chook:

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Lagmore on September 01, 2012, 08:58:04 pm

Sally,
 
They are lovely - what breeds are the chicks?
 
Ali.

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: heidih on September 02, 2012, 10:31:03 am

Awww such a cute photo..! :thumbsup: well done mummy.. :hug:

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Bionic on September 02, 2012, 11:18:41 am

Ali, the chicks are 2 French Copper Blue Marans and 2 Barred Wyandottes. I can just see some barred feathers arriving on a couple so I know which is which now.
Sally

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Victorian Farmer on September 02, 2012, 12:52:40 pm

YOU SHOULD GET SOME LEG BANDS PRINTED WHIT bh ON .YOU WILL NO ITS A BEST HEN AND NOT FOR SALE THESE HENS ARE WOTH THERE WAIT IN GOLD .IM naw making my new mums the very best gold silki as big as you can get then my light Sussex ,you will get gold and white chicks gold are the hens this will be the mothers off 2013 .

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Bionic on September 02, 2012, 01:43:58 pm

Thanks VF, As I only have 4 hens then it isn't difficult for me to know which is which. Your suggestion is a good idea though if my flock increases.
Well with the 4 chicks I suppose ita already doubled  ;D
Sally

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: HelenVF on September 02, 2012, 01:45:59 pm

Very cute. I love watching broody hens with their chicks.  Can wqtch them for hours.

Helen

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Lagmore on September 02, 2012, 05:42:26 pm

Will you keep them all? Blue Marans are brilliant - lovely dark brown eggs!

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Bionic on September 02, 2012, 08:06:06 pm

Lagmore, I bought the eggs by post. The Wyandotte because I like the look of them and the Marans for the colour of their eggs. So in answer to your question, if they are hens then I will be keeping them. The cockerels will go for the pot if i can pluck up the courage.
Sally

Title: Re: Good mum
Post by: Mrs Snoodles on September 04, 2012, 08:10:19 pm

Fingers crossed for you that you have hens.  I have loads of cockerels his year but the four poss six new pullets that I have, are really lovely.  I do love the boys too, but can only keep so many :(