Hi, long time member, new question

cassnboys · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 9:19 pm

I have read that thread, a couple of times over now. Thanks Chicka dee et al, the sharing of information in that and all forums is ever so helpful.

Spoke to our local breeder and will pick up eggs tomorrow! He advised NOT to move her from the nest and put her in the tractor, in case she goes off for good...so will pick her up, nesting box and all and put her in the in the hen house proper , away from the rest of the run and hens.

Does that sound ok? Any more tips for a first time hen and I would be gratefully appreciated!

Cass (and V broody Vanessa)

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

cassnboys wrote:

I have read that thread, a couple of times over now. Thanks Chicka dee et al, the sharing of information in that and all forums is ever so helpful.

Spoke to our local breeder and will pick up eggs tomorrow! He advised NOT to move her from the nest and put her in the tractor, in case she goes off for good...so will pick her up, nesting box and all and put her in the in the hen house proper , away from the rest of the run and hens.

Does that sound ok? Any more tips for a first time hen and I would be gratefully appreciated!

Cass (and V broody Vanessa)

No, no...if he (Robbie) says to pick her up nest & all then do it...he'd know way better than me.

I've only done this once with Clara & I kept kicking her off the nest for days until I was really sure she was 100% clucky. Everyone warned me that by taking her off I could be risking her hoping off for good, but since the eggs were only $2.50 ech I thought with the cost only bing $10 I could afford to take the risk. And it paid off!

What type of eggs are you getting?

cassnboys · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:52 pm

He told me y'day that he only has Ida Brown's and black Australorps at present, so I may just try 2 of each maybe??! Goodness knows really....I'll be guided by the eggspert!

I have already been out this am, only to find Fridays trading hours are in the arvy. BUT.....when I got home the first thing I did was check on the girls and BROODY GIRL was NOT on the nest.

She was frantically preening and dust bathing, then went crazy around the run before having a feed. I then had to attend my other brood for a bit (lunch and nap time) then next I checked on her she's back on and has that "dead" look....slumped over, tail down, head down..?? What is going on?

Do you think it's still worth a try?
Also, because she has been sitting for about 5 days already, and if we do go ahead, do I need to get '5 day old' eggs? Rob said I wouldn't need to keep them warm in transit....? Now I'm really showing my newbie status, aren't I :!:

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:18 pm

cassnboys wrote:

Also, because she has been sitting for about 5 days already, and if we do go ahead, do I need to get '5 day old' eggs? Rob said I wouldn't need to keep them warm in transit....? Now I'm really showing my newbie status, aren't I :!:

I don't think that you would need eggs that have been incubated for 5 days, if your broody has been broody for 5 days, a broody will sit on the eggs for 21 days and she will know how old the eggs are by the weight when she turns them. It sounds very complicated and a disaster waiting to happen, getting 5 day old fertile eggs, keeping them warm in transit and popping them under the broody.

cassnboys wrote:

She was frantically preening and dust bathing, then went crazy around the run before having a feed. I then had to attend my other brood for a bit (lunch and nap time) then next I checked on her she's back on and has that "dead" look....slumped over, tail down, head down..?? What is going on?

Firstly how old is the broody? From a previous experience I found our younger pullet hopping off her nest for an extended period of time to have one last fling with her rooster and spa treatment in the dirt, it was a disaster, but she was young and had distractions.

They do turn into possessed Chook Zombies when they go broody.

I you are not buying Marans eggs for her to sit, that can cost up to $10 each, then why not, take the plunge like Chicka-Dee, you will never know otherwise.

I would go for the Australorps, I love the green sheen to their black feathers in the sunlight. Isa Browns have a shorter life expectancy as they are commercial hybrid layers developed for maximum egg production in the first year of the laying life, lots of posts about them.

Waiting for chicks to hatch, seeing their little faces pop out from under mum for the first time is priceless...

Good luck.

cassnboys · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:08 pm

Thanks HH. Love your work and all the support Chicka Dee received on that thread too has encouraged me to take the plunge!

I'm a bit of an optimist and as such, happy to announce that we (Vanessa and I) are going to give this a red hot go (mostly due to the help from APF and the guidance of our local breeder-thanks muchly!)

Did the swap tonite with Vanessa....her 4 for our 5 (2 white and 2 black utility Australorps, and 1 Isa Brown) Must say I'm very excited and hoping Vanessa will cope as well as Clara!

Thanks again......see how we go this time round!

cassnboys · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:16 pm

Sorry HH, so excited I neglected to answer what is probably a very important Q!
These girls started to lay around Xmas time, so estimate their her age to be about 10-10.5 months ish. Does that give us more hope....given that we've no rooster in sight?

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

Ooooooo So exciting Cass! [smilie=a_cookiemonster.gif]

Well done for being brave and taking the leap!

We're all here for help and advice when you come up with more questions!

I did the same thing...drove out there without checking his times on the website.... [smilie=a_doh.gif]

The excitement just makes you wanna go & get them :lol:

No rooster required for these girls to be/stay broody. It's just a natural instinct. You're just helping her get that part of what she is missing without a real rooster. Just think...she doesn't have to be jumped on and clawed to get the chicks she wants (Win Win!) [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

Cheers
Chicka-Dee

cassnboys · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:03 pm

Thanks Chicka-Dee, you are quite inspirational to say the least. No pressure Vanessa lol.
Yes, no pressure for a final fling, as per HH. Just really hope that she's up for it.

Fingers crossed....day 21 nearly over :-D

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

I had a sensitive new age rooster that used to sit on the eggs, he never harmed any of wives

,or, his babies

, especially Little Wheezy, who's mother rejected him and turfed out of the nest. He always crowed to let us know that Little Wheezy was not where he was supposed to be. He was a good husband and a good father to his wives and family. Without roosters we would not have any more chooks...

I really miss Mr. Rooster and the boys

cassnboys · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:55 pm

Oh, that's sad. Every time we have we have picked chicks from the hatching programs at school, I have managed to pick a rooster each time. They grow up so beautifully, strong and handsome! But then they start to crow and we can't have them any more

Luckily we have an awesome local breeder who takes them and assures me they will not end up in a pot!
You are so lucky to have had roosters PP.

Vanessa going well....only 19 days to go

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