| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 6:31:34 PM
 I love Chickens, there is nothing like contentedly clucking hens and a morning call from a handsome rooster 
I don't know/can't decide which breeds to raise yet, but I love to talk barnyard fowl!
I'm working on expanding my current coop and making it more predator-proof. I'm also planning to add wild turkeys and pheasants to my little postage stamp farmlette.
Wyandottes, Marans and several of the bantam breeds appeal to me. My land lady has a large mixed breed flock, but I want to keep my breeds pure and raise some heritage chickens and turkeys I think.I need to build a turkey house and a run and shelter for the pheasants...but looking through poultry websites has me all fired up
Any one raise game birds?
Silver or Gold Seabright bantams? (I LOVE the little hens, they are so cute!)
Which breeds do best with cold winters?
My rooster, T-Rex...is a mixed breed and something of a yard pet. He is quite tame and follows me around when I'm out in the yard or garden.
Anyway I'll quit babbling here and look forward to learning all that I can from all of you
And sharing my adventure with into poultry raising.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Sugar Girl |
Posted - Jun 13 2012 : 1:07:32 PM
I have 8 hens and sorry to say a nosy rooster LOL, and 2 ducks.
Stand for What's Right! |
| thebyrdhaus |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 2:23:00 PM
We raise Coturnix quail, homing pigeons and chickens. I prefer Marans and Black Australorps. I have Silkies, Old English Game chickens and recently added Seramas to my flock. This year I have hatched in the incubator over 50 doz chicken eggs, about 10 doz ducks, and hundreds of quail eggs. My favorite of all the fowl are the quail. Though I am afraid the Seramas are going to become pretty special.
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Jun 06 2012 : 11:06:10 AM
We ended up with just one chick, the other egg must not have been fertilized or something else happened. Either way we still have one chick! I'm guessing it took about 21-23 days for it to hatch from when I switched them out for her own un-fertilized eggs. Which is a bummer because she is a Golden Laced Wyandotte and the egg she hatched was a RIR. Oh well, maybe I can get a rooster so next time she gets broody she can actually hatch some of her own eggs! Now we are just waiting on our last duck. One of our hens got killed on her nest so I took the eggs and I'm trying to hatch them in an incubator but I think it got too cold for them the night she was killed but we shall see! Best of luck Karla with your little hen, hope you can get some litle chicks!! Oh, and my hen sat on that last egg for about 5 days after the one chick hatched out. After it didn't hatch for 5 days she quit sitting on it and rolled it out of her little nest. Now her and the little chick are ranging the yard for bugs. It's really cute, I was worried that she would keep on sitting on that egg but she didn't! :)
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| hoosiercountry |
Posted - Jun 04 2012 : 07:01:47 AM
Thanks for the info ladies. Michele my boxs are about 3 feet off the ground so I will leave her where she is. My young roo is about 8 months old and I have not seen him showing much interest in the girls yet, the other roo has been gone only a month and he was always interested in them, so this will be a suprise. Next question for you is if nothing hatches how long do I let her sit or will she give up on her own? And thanks for the reminder about the water Michele, I had a major senior moment and never gave that a thought. |
| Annab |
Posted - Jun 04 2012 : 03:54:42 AM
Might help to ease minds too, that a fertilized egg won't start to develop a chick until a hen begins to set for about 3 solid days.
So that's 3 days worth of body heat at about 90 to 100 or so degrees. So if we all continue to pull our eggs every day, we don't have to worry about "killing" the chicks.
I sometines get worried customers. And after taking an egg incubation seminar here at the zoo that had us breaking open viable eggs at various stages of development, there's not a lot to worry about until about the 10th day anyway.
Thanks for the great photo BTW! |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 6:06:03 PM
Karla, some may be fertile some may not but if your younger roo is mating with them you might get lucky & have all of them fertile....I allow mine to sit up to 26 days...some say thats too long but if I am not sure when the last egg was laid by her I want to give them all a chance...if you remove the ones the other is laying each day she is fine in there with the broody hen...she won't hurt the eggs the broody hen is laying on & is really giving her some good company....no need to move the broody hen if she is not upset over the other coming in to visit so to speak...as for moving the broody hen when the babies are hatched...how high is the nest off the ground? I have had babies up to 4 feet off the ground when hatched & jumped down on their own just fine but I have tons of bedding hay under & around the nesting boxes for just that reason...so they babies don't get hurt......I do recommend once they are hatched to find a place or cage that is left open for them...just put feed & water there & momma will get the idea to nest with the babies there or near by.....but if you don't do this don't worry momma will find them a safe place, just make sure if you have a hanging water container or and feed that you set some on the ground so the babies can get to it safely.....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
| hoosiercountry |
Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 2:37:25 PM
I need some advise, I have one hen that has started sitting, how long do I let her sit if the eggs are no good? I did have a rooster, but traded him off when he turned mean, for a younger one so I'm not sure if her eggs will be good. Next my other hen gets in the nest with her and lays her egg every day, so should I move the hen sitting and her nest to a private area? Will she do ok with that? And last the nest sits up off ground so if she does hatch any chicks how long do I wait till I put them on ground so they won't fall and get hurt? Thanks |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - May 30 2012 : 07:27:06 AM
We have a chick!!!! One of the fertilized eggs I put under the broody chicken hatched yesterday! I posted on my blog about it. I am so excited! She is still attentive to the other egg so I'm hoping it too, will hatch. How much longer should I let her sit on it if it doesn't hatch since the one hatched yesterday?
Also, the ducks are both sitting on the eggs. I found out yesterday that something killed our mallard hen but left the eggs alone. I brought them (the eggs) inside the house and most of them are good. We are going through a cold spell now so I'm glad I found out that soon about the mallard. I'm hoping I can incubate the good eggs. I didn't have much luck last time incubating duck eggs because we used a styrofoam $50 incubator and I had a hard time with keeping the proper humidity. Any tips on that?
The Pekin duck has a nest directly next to my garden under an old cultivator that we use at the beginning of the season. We parked it at the front of the garden and didn't have time to move it back in the shed... Now it is going to stay there until the duck is done! haha, now I have some new yard decorations :) Anyway I will keep posting on the duck eggs now and that lone chicken egg. I gently picked it up and it's heavy like there is a chick in it but I haven't heard peeping yet like I did with the other egg before it hatched... Anyway I will keep updating!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - May 10 2012 : 10:23:54 AM
I agree with Michele. If the ducks have successfully brooded before, something must have changed-- a predator threat, a coop-mate harrassing them, or even too hot. Most of the time, animal instincts know best!
I had two swedish duck hens sitting on a nest together in April, but by the time they started pipping, it was too hot and too dry here in Phoenix, and most of the clutch dried out and died. I was only able to save one of the ducklings out of about 16 eggs and I had to assist her a lot.
But, it was worth it!!
And here is Tapper!!
She's getting so big now! Here she is with her pet banty chicks! LOL
~*~ http://silverstarfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/ ~*~
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.”
~Erma Bombeck |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - May 08 2012 : 08:45:39 AM
Krystle since you say 'they' it tells me it must have been a stress factor....sometimes even with chickens their broodiness just shuts off for some reason...but if more than one all of a sudden get up & leave there may have been something that scared them or stressed them enough to break the broodiness or whatever its called with ducks....just an idea since it will happen with chickens, that it might happen with ducks as well....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - May 08 2012 : 07:09:07 AM
Oh, I just thought of another question I had regarding ducks. We have two hens, a Pekin and a Mallard mixed with something else. They both started laying eggs this spring and the started sitting on their eggs. After a week they got off their little nests and that was the end of that. What would cause them to do this? The mallard hatched some eggs out before so I was really confused with her behavior this time.
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - May 08 2012 : 07:07:37 AM
Thanks for the tips I will be sure to continue giving her some munchies while she sits. I never knew that they would waste away while sitting and I don't want that to happen to my little hen!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - May 07 2012 : 5:43:56 PM
True nuff, I've lost 2 young duck hens to brooding... they just kind of withered up and kicked off.
~*~ http://silverstarfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/ ~*~
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.”
~Erma Bombeck |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - May 07 2012 : 4:45:30 PM
Krystle your hen will lay on these eggs even if they aren't the ones that were in there before......They are not picky when they get broody...they will even sit on duck or turkey eggs if you put them under hr while broody...lol.......just make sure you give her a bit more protein & calcium while she sits...I stick a small dish of wet feed with yogurt or mealy worms each morning to make sure they are are getting enough...sometimes they will waste away while sitting so this way I am sure they aren't losing too much weight...Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - May 07 2012 : 1:27:50 PM
I finally got some fertilized eggs from a rooster and chickens of unknown breed and switched out my broody hen's un-fertilized eggs with these eggs. Wonder if she will still sit on eggs that aren't hers and also if it will even work... Will update as updates happen, can't wait to see what happens!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 3:57:53 PM
Kelly, You can tell if any of your eggs are being fertilized when you crack them open. I always use them regardless (doesn't alter the flavor)and it certainly never stopped my great grandparents.
But when I start to see a lot of fertile eggs in my breakfast making, I get to thinking about hatching.
A fertile egg looks like this:
 no little whitish halo in the yolks, the roo isn't getting his job done.
I mainly keep just ducks for eggs, but the kids talked me into a couple pullet chicks from the feed store, so we have 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 1 Rhode Island Red. They are sweet and lovely little things. They are about 6 weeks old. Nowhere near full grown but they look like adorable mini hens at this age.
The family is pretty burned out on duck meat, so I really want to get into some heritage marans (all the colors I can lay my hands on!)The "chocolate" eggs are gorgeous, and I hear the roosters have very nice breasts and great flavor-- fast growing for a heritage. I think I can do pretty well selling all my extra pullets as layers and freezering all but the best rooster or two.
~*~ http://silverstarfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/ ~*~
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.”
~Erma Bombeck |
| MiaBella |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 3:32:49 PM
I have Barred Rocks & Araucanas (blue egg layers). Love fresh eggs for breakfast! We used to have a Rooster until he decided to peck me on the back of my calf (still have a small scar). He was re-homed...not going to peck me and still get fed! In all fairness, I DID warn him but he must not have understood English....
Michelle
Farmgirl Sister #4097
MiaBella Farm
New Caney, TX
www.miabellafarm.com |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 08:45:05 AM
Krystle....to answer your question Yes your hen will go broody again with or without a Roo....As for her broodiness now you need to just keep taking the eggs away & try to get her out of the nesting box...they will eventually quit being broody but sometimes since no eggs are hatching they will sit there longer losing more weigh & getting weaker...I had one who refused to get out of the box & after 32 days was down to skin & bones...thank goodness I put wetted feed in front of her daily or I think she would have maybe died on me....I finally figured out to close the coop area where she would go to sit on eggs & forced her to be out...we have a dog house so she would sometimes go in there but would finally quit & go back to being a normal non-broody hen...lol
Annika since you are in Idaho you might want to look for breeds that have small combs if you are worried about too cold of winters...there are many pure breeds that would work for you & still give you eggs....I have a few with the pea combs that are wonderful ole girls, hearty & good layers...Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 07:03:43 AM
I had a question about a hen. We have just one chicken left, a Golden Laced Wyandotte and she was laying an egg a day then all of a sudden went broody. Since we have no rooster the eggs won't hatch. I have looked high and low for someone with farm eggs that has a rooster but as soon as they get wind of what I'm doing they want to charge me $1 or more an egg instead of $1 a dozen. What gives? I tried finding a rooster but when people find out you have a hen or hens they want to charge you $15 for a rooster. Each rooster we have ever had turned out to be aggressive to our kids and had to be dispatched. Why would I risk paying $15 for a bird that might end up being dispatched? I can buy them at the store frozen and dressed out for cheaper!
Okay, here is my question. Since these eggs won't hatch will she eventually just give up? Will she go broody again later on when we can get a rooster? Thanks!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| magnoliakathy |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 05:54:13 AM
I have a small flock (1 tom and 2 hens) or Royal Palm turkeys, once I got them up fully-feathered they are doing very well. Mine have not gone broody and I have the incubator heating up to put eggs in tonight. I am hoping one of the hens gets broody and I can slip the poults under her at night and she will think she did it. I have no Bantams at present, but I do really like the Mille Fleurs and Silver-laced cochins. We keep and assorted flock for eggs, in my experience all hens will go broody when they are "ready", there is no way to tell when this will happen. I have read of forcing a hen to go broody but have not tried it. Checking an egg for fertilization, crack the egg into a bowl and look for the sperm cell to be attached to the yolk, it looks sort of like a white string, and it is not unusual to see two strings on a yolk if you have more than one rooster.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
| KellyWall |
Posted - Mar 07 2010 : 2:10:11 PM
I have 6 barred rock hens and one rooster, his name is Rocky. the hens do not like Rocky, they shoo him away any time he gets near. I want my hens to sit and hatch eggs that is why I got him, so how do I know if the eggs are getting fertilized if I haven't seen any "action" ? Do the hens automatically start sitting on the eggs?
Kelly #238
May your bobbin always be full... |
| Daisy7896 |
Posted - Mar 07 2010 : 11:01:14 AM
Hello,
I have been raising chickens for years but never have tried incubating any eggs. I have a few different kinds of chickens right now and a few roosters. I want to get a incubator and try to incubate some of my eggs but I don't know how to choose the eggs to incubate? Is it just as simple as collecting eggs and putting them in the incubator? Information please?????
I love my goats |
| dawnm |
Posted - Mar 06 2010 : 6:34:07 PM
Hello,
I have been thinking about having a very small chicken coop for two or three bantam hens.
A woman, who I have lunch with some times, thinks that chickens are awful and I will be really sorry if I get them. She grew up taking care of chickens. So she speaks from personal experience.
She and I are very different. My DH and I have three dogs and a cockatiel. She doesn't even have goldfish. We have an old house built in the 1820's and 1 acre of property. She lives in an apartment. In a nutshell. we are very different
I have friends who raise chickens. I can get them a good home if I think I have made a mistake.
It will be an outlaw chicken coop as the zoning doesn't allow for "livestock" in my neighborhood. My DH can build it so other than the materials, it will not cost anything.
So this is my story and I am sticking to it. LOL Dawn
Small farm farmers rock! |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 06 2010 : 07:54:04 AM
Tawnya, where are you ordering your Welsummers from? I would like some more of those. I love them. And the eggs are beautiful.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Mar 06 2010 : 07:06:58 AM
Hi Annika- I have a wide variety of chickens and do have a few favorites. We started off with Buff Orpingtons and Delawares. My buffs are sweet, quiet and often broody. The Delawares on the other hand have a bit more "moxy" and never go broody. Both are dual purpose and brown egg layers.
Last summer my DH suprised me by ordering an exotics collection from McMurray. I recieved many polish types with the "poofy" feathers on the head. Those are fine if you live somewhere there isn't alot of rain, my poor girls always have feathers in theirs eyes and run into everything. In the bunch also came 3 cochins, 3 campines, 1 Wyandotte, 1 Acracauna, 2 Motteled Houdans, 2 phoenix (1 is a beautiful but useless rooster) and 1 Silver Spangled Hamburg (rooster). I have absolutly fallen in love with the cochins! They are very docile and I have already had 1 go broody. I really think I would have enjoyed the Hamburg if it wasn't a roo. The campines are a small bird and everywhere all of the time, they take no attitude from the bigger ones!
Our roo is a Delaware and he is the best! We have 2 buffs that came with this last summers order and they will now become stew because they are mean. Hamburg roo-mean, Phoenix roo- he is beautiful and knows it. He is also very smart, in fact too smart for his own good.
Well that should give you something to think about.
Lillian
Oh yes I forgot to mention I have fallen love with my aracauna and wyandotte too. |
