Egg Hatching

[CrealCritter]

I put the young chickens in the coop with the roo and layers yesterday morning. I gave them water in a gallon waterer and they get feed out of the hanging feeder. They haven't left the coop yet and huddle and hang around in a group of 5.

This morning when FB opened the chicken door to the fenced in yard. No chickens came out. They always can't wait to come out in the morning. FB couldn't figure out what was going on. So she opened the door at looked inside to find a line of chickens waiting to get out of the coop. At the front of the line and in front of the chicken door was 5 little chickens huddled together. Eventually the huddle moved off to the side and all the big chickens bolted out the door. It was just funny the way she described it to me.

I never introduced batter chickens to an established flock. It's always been naturally hatched chickens with momma hen as the protector. So I had no idea what to expect

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

Baby chickens got brave and went out in the yard. The 5th one somehow made it into the other fenced in yard. So I had to go catch it and drop it over the fence with the other 4. Then ofcourse they had no sense to get in the chicken house, so we could close them all up for the night. We had to catch all 5 and put them in the chicken door. Those little buggers are healthy and fast

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Mini Horses]

FAST!! Yes. my hen hatched ones are 6 wk old and zoom when mom calls them to eat bugs. The incubated ones are a week old. Oh, how I wish they were hen hatched! They don't learn to "be chickens" like others.

 

[The Porch]

I am so thankful the NANNY, decided to chick sit all these lase 3 weeks, she sure was on death row if she bit me one more time. But she has been right with them and is still, I am surprised. Most in the past were over mothering by 2 and 3 weeks.
I do believe the older hens know there are some roosters in the mix,,,,,,,,,

 

[CrealCritter]

FB told me after she collected eggs that her baby chickens were on the lower roost in the hen house. So I suppose they are learning to be chickens. So far so good, with joining the flock

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Mini Horses]

The thinking about it broody is committed. Don't need chicks. Don't want her where she's chosen. Will try to move her one night & hope. I'll need a pint of bug spray for myself to be out there for a move attempt I have a broody house set, need to add food & water containers, make a nest, add her & eggs.

The incubated chicks are doing well. Chicks poop more than any animal I've seen! Messy things.

Hen with 4 chicks (now 5 wk) is a great mom!!! Looks like 3 pullets ??? Time will tell. Threw out bread -- she grabbed some and took to chicks

 

[The Porch]

The chicks will have completed their 7th week tomorrow and start week 8 on Tuesday.
One rooster and a pullet

Second rooster and two pullets

Nanny hen on overwatch

And third rooster and two pullets

 

[The Porch]

All 20 chickens enjoying the evening

 

[Mini Horses]

Never got around to moving the new broody. She has 6 eggs. What happens, happens. . I check each day, morn & night, to remove any that may have been added.

Went out to coop/run where I put the 5 almost grown BOs I had bought & just moved to new, larger area to show them the roost . Yeah, hadn't found it -- so caught each one & set up there. They were easy to do & settled right onto it. Will check for a couple nights to see they continue. Might need to add a lower bar for a "step up". One was there but knocked off by a goat one day when run was open.

 

[The Porch]

Never got around to moving the new broody. She has 6 eggs. What happens, happens. . I check each day, morn & night, to remove any that may have been added.

Went out to coop/run where I put the 5 almost grown BOs I had bought & just moved to new, larger area to show them the roost . Yeah, hadn't found it -- so caught each one & set up there. They were easy to do & settled right onto it. Will check for a couple nights to see they continue. Might need to add a lower bar for a "step up". One was there but knocked off by a goat one day when run was open.

Mine can jump up on the roost but keep sleeping in the nesting box. I know they will move to the roost I just dont have the time to cover the nesting boxes at night and deal with roost fights right now.