The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Townie on May 05, 2008, 10:48:14 am
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I think our wee bantam might be getting a tad broody, the last couple of times I've gone out to collect the eggs, she is sitting on the nest on top of them..
If I give her a nudge she gets off, she's not being noisy or pecky. If I just keep turfing her off the eggs, will she come out of it? She is still laying eggs herself.
I would love to get some hatching eggs... then I think about all the consequences involved.. :-\
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Yes she will stop - eventually ::) Bantams can be very persistant. If you want her to hatch eggs I would sit her on some pot eggs for a couple of days while you get fertilised eggs organised then swap them and leave her to it protected from other hens ;) ;) :chook:
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Thanks chicken lady :)
I've been debating this in my head all day... i've even been on ebay looking at eggs ;)
I keep my 2 chickens in an eglu, so its probably not an ideal setup for letting her sit on some fertile eggs, as i'd have nowhere to put my other chook.
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do you know any where you could lend another igloo from?
Linz
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Hi Linz,
Another eglu would take up too much space in the garden, and most probably the people who have them will be using them..
I might keep my eyes peeled on freecycle and see if I can find a either a small coop no-one wants or a rabbit hutch that I can modify ;)
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See what happens when you get a days holiday! LOL
I've put a bid on ebay for some hatching eggs.. 6 miniature white bearded silkie bantams (my daughter chose)... I've bought chick crumb and growers pellets and i'm now trying to source either a 2nd hand coop or make my own.
I need to buy water and food feeders, any suggestions where the best place to get these online are?
And finally, I have put a fake egg in the nesting area and she is sitting on this until the others arrive. ;D
If there is anything else I need to know I would appreciate and value your help
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Personally I would make my own - or I would get my husband and son to do it ;) I spent a fortune on my first hen house but after making a pig ark many of the principle of joining wood together seem to be the same :P In the meantime you could put her somewhere quiet like a shed or garage in some sought of a box that she could get out of to feed etc. and just make a barrier around it so that she feels protected from invaders - her own space. Just becareful of eggs from ebay. Buy from someone with good feedback who gives success rates. It can be a bit of a lottery. I have had rates fron 0 - 100% with eggs that I have bought ::) Good luck with yours, I think it's great hatching eggs, the children love it, for me it's like taking my work home as I am a midwife 8)
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Thanks for your help chicken lady :) ..... we're all really excited, just waiting for everything to arrive now...
I think I have managed to source a rabbit hutch, so will phone about it tonight once I get home from work, and if we can pick it up tonight I'll get her moved into it.
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I love hatching eggs - so will you, but the tension as the big day approaches is almost unbearable.
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I managed to pick up a brand new big double rabbit hutch for £40.. a complete bargin!..
The eggs arrived in the post a couple of days ago... I let them settle for 24hrs
Our wee bantam moved into the penthouse suite of the new hutch 2 days ago with a couple of normal unfertile eggs to sit on... and last night under the cover of darkness I removed the 2 duds and replaced them with the 6 fertile (fingers crossed) eggs.
How many days roughly does it take for eggs to hatch?
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Twenty one for hens.