The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: jameslindsay on July 28, 2010, 08:00:35 pm
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A few weeks ago one of my Isa Warrens went broody - 2 weeks after my cockerel was re homed. So, a friend kindly gave me 6 eggs for her to sit on. However, she is sitting in one of the 3 nest boxes and today 1 has already hatched.
So, here come the questions;
Do I move them now or wait until more have hatched? If I don't move are they not open for rats etc?
If I don't move them will they be safe when the others go to bed tonight?
How do I feed chicks if still in a next box?
I think moving them would be for the best as I could make them secure and ensure they get food and water. However, don't want to move at this stage incase it spoils any more from hatching.
Please help??? Thanks
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Can you move the whole nest box with her in it James? Maybe even take it inside? Not sure if that's possible in a hotel? The others shouldn't be long in hatching but it would be a shame to lose them, and very much at risk in early stages..
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No Annie I can't. I have just got a cardboard box, cut the front off it and am going to lift mum, chick and eggs in to it once I have filled it with straw. I am then going to move them inside so I know they are safe and sound. :) I am hoping that I do not scare her during this process but think so long as she sees her baby and her eggs she will stay calm.
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Just moved them all and she is sitting calmly. I take it I am ok giving her and the chick a pile of straw?
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That's what I have always used, James but I know some people say it's a good harbour for mites. I'm not sure about shavings as they give off dust. How about newspapers?
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I was just thinking of keeping them warm.
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good good James glad hter ok!
Craig
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Chick number 2 has now appeared and all doing well.
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Pleased your hen has been ok during her move!! Mine can be really difficult, and are determined that only where they have chosen to sit will do.
I don't use shavings with small chicks, as they do start pecking for food, and could easily choke on shavings, so straw is better. Although, all my hens scrape out whatever it is, hay or straw, and make the chicks sit on the bare floor for some reason.
Fingers crossed for a successful hatch.
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are these the silkies?
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mixed batch of eggs.. it will be a surprise...
i got 2 more today
if they are the same i reckon they are lavender araucana
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Both chicks look the same, I see egg number 3 is now started pipping.
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woooohoooo come onnnnnnnn!
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Can someone please remind me when I need to put water in the incubator for my duck eggs. I think they are due to hatch on the 3rd(Tuesday), so do I stop the rocking tomorrow and add the water at the same time?
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Annie I never add water, I was told in Scotland it is not necessary.
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what should the humidity level be for chicken eggs please?
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annie, i did add water and also sprayed them the last few days. 8/12 hatched which i am advised is a good rate, though i know james also gets a good hatch rate - though james i thought you did add water for DUCK eggs?
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annie, i did add water and also sprayed them the last few days. 8/12 hatched which i am advised is a good rate, though i know james also gets a good hatch rate - though james i thought you did add water for DUCK eggs?
Never Laura, I do spray them and since doing this way had far better success than when adding water.
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I was told hens' eggs don't need water, only ducks'. This would be to mimic mum going for a swim I reckon. If they do that anyway you won't need any. Our chick hatch was not really succesful but that might be for other reasons.
Glad she's doing so well, can't wait to see the wee ones! :chook: :&>
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what should the humidity level be for chicken eggs please?
Originally 35%, going up to 55% at day 16, then up to 75% at day 18.
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3 chicks out now another egg pipping and I can hear the chirping from inside and I think egg number 5 may well be thinking about pipping. :)
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Hey well done.. i not any new ones today unless under hens as they have all decided to sit on eggs
8 sitting at moment heres hoping it be worth it..
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Just got this pic of the chick thats out exploring...
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Annie I never add water, I was told in Scotland it is not necessary.
I read that you run thyem dry til day 18, then bump the humidity up.
In saying that, i lost a Buff Sussex chick overnight due to a humidity fault in my incy (typical RCom fault)..... it had dropped to under 50%.
I also had to help another hatch this afternoon cos she had become stuck inside.
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Even for ducks? When do I turn the cradle off?
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Yes, turn off 3 days before hatch date. Good luck.
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Thanks, James! ;D
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what about a little update James please
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Not much to say Craig. I know there are 3 hatched, I added some pics earlier of 1 of the chicks. There is another egg pipping and I can hear cheeping going on. Mum just sits there, so dedicated and loyal it is amazing. :)
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When I checked this morning there are now 5 chicks and no signs, yet, of the last one pipping. I can't get over how mother hens just sits there and is so totally devoted to these wee things. I have to say I have enjoyed watching this.
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Better than any incubator, eh, James? ;)
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Well - not all do, you're lucky! Our decided she wanted an only child, maybe next time more ;D
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good good James, Must only be after the fam book ducky!!
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Took this of the 5 yesterday.
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All still well James? not been on for few days, over the head.
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Hi Craig they are all still doing great. Mother hen is just fantastic with them and as I keep saying it is a joy to watch them all learning and playing together.
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thats brill, dont think it matters what it is. If they are babies its fantastic.
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I have noticed that mother hen has been loosing feathers and underneath she is very scraggy and even bald in a few bits. Is this normal as she is not out and about as she was used to, or should I be doing anything to help her? During the day she and teh chicks are in a small run but I do let them all out several times a day for strictly supervised free ranging.
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I never noticed it before but got a chook gone broody and she appears bald to cover the eggs... shoved her off earlier to have a look!!!!
My other who is sitting on eggs is the scruffiest thing i have ever seen.. made worse by the fact she is a frizzle....
Silkie girls like boys from star trek by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Silkie girls like boys from star trek by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Explain yourself please Nicki??????
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My black rocks have gone bald underneath where they've been sitting on eggs :-\
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My two orp boys have went bald but they were helping the hen with the eggs so probably that, they are a strange pair
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poor wee guy will be lonely and girls may miss him
;D ;D ;D :D :wave:
Silkie girls like boys from star trek by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Explain yourself please Nicki??????
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poor wee guy will be lonely and girls may miss him
;D ;D ;D :D :wave:
Silkie girls like boys from star trek by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Explain yourself please Nicki??????
I thought you were going for emmotional blackmail you bitch!!! ha ha ha ;D Will I be reported for such abuse???
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always worth a try.... ;D ;D :o
maybe he be a homing silkie and find his girls..
not far across the estuary..if you can swim
:wave: :wave: :chook: