| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 09:10:21 AM
Here we go again! The broody hen that was in the milkroom sitting in the box of broken glass just hatched 3 cute little Buff chicks yesterday. I had taken the box out and put a crate with fresh hay and 6 nice big brown Buff eggs in it. She jumped right on in. One egg got broken somehow and the other 2 were watery. So we just got 3. But they all look full Buff. So I put them all in a cage with chick starter and water. I can't make up my mind if I want to just keep the chicks in a cage til they are bigger. Because I want more Buff's.
And this hen had a twin sister. She's gone broody too. She's under the little house. She should hatch hers in a week or so. They will be more game chicks. I am going to have a game chicken round up soon. I just want Buff chickens now.
Anyone else having chickie babies?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 07:24:29 AM
Brandee, I bet they are so cute. What kind did you hatch? I had BRs a few years ago and come to think of it, I had a few that hatched some eggs too. But I have never ever had this many want to go broody on me. The 5 new little baby chicks are so cute. And both moms are together in the same house right now and are doing great with each others chicks. They are twin sisters so I guess they will help each other out. Ya can't have too much help! And that's so sad to lose those little ones that are out free ranging with the moms. I think they might get lost and get cold. Or a cat gets them. That's why I put these 2 moms up so I can keep an eye on the little ones. I hate to do it but they are safer in there right now til they get bigger. I had thought about taking the babies but that's too much trouble. The moms do such a better job at keeping them warm and integrating them into the flock.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| homsteddinmom |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 05:47:48 AM
One of my Barred Rock hens set and hatched out 4, now she is down to one. But i had just hatched out 100 so i have baby chicks everywhere!
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 6:33:51 PM
Hey Grace. I have Buff Orpington and so far I have had just about all of them want to go broody. I had 5 in the spring that did. And they all hatched chicks. They are not the best mothers. But they are still young. The game hens I have are really good broody hens and great mothers. They are MEAN when it comes to their chicks. They sure can't count though. So if you want a good broody hen get some game hens. The ones I have are older. They are also good layers when they aren't sitting on a nest.
You will have to raise all these chicks yourself. It's really hard to graft chicks onto a hen that doesn't want them. She will kill them first. I tried that a few times and it doesn't work. I wish I could send you these 2 hens. This is what they were born to do.
Hi Linda. Jump on in, that's fine with me. I love talking chickens. I have seen PR but never had them. They seem to be a good meat bird first. These are probably straight run? So you will end up with a lot of roos. They will be good for the freezer. You should keep one roo though. Good luck with them. All mine are free range. Except the twins with the chicks right now. They are in the chicken house up front locked in. I don't want to lose any more chicks til I know what they are.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sissarge |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 10:54:04 AM
Hope its ok to jump in, I just got 23 chicks, called Partridge Rock--does anyone have these!
I read on internet, they are all purpose chickens, large brown eggs, excellent mothers, and can be loving pets. They are a large chicken. I wanted black astrolorps, but these were available a chicken farm I went to. I could not resist. they are from 1909 and are out of the plymouth rock chickens. I am excited,they are pure bred. she has had them for 15 years, and has kept excellent records, puts me to shame. oh well, if you know of them, could you let me hear, I got them yesterday, 5 days old, they are a heritage breed. I also have 7 bantys, and keep them penned at night because of critters, and they free range during day.
Farmgirl #946 Linda |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 07:51:54 AM
Kris, I am in such need of a broody hen - what type of game bird are you talking about - did I miss it in my reading??? I have 31 chicks coming next week and my two old hens that I have left have not mothering side what so ever... I would love to have a feathered mother help with the raising of these chicks. I have raised chicks always by my own hands but always longed for Mother Nature to provide me with a hen who I know would do a better job. Any help would be greatly appreciated....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 23 2010 : 06:36:14 AM
One of the newer baby chicks is gone. I had put the other momma and 3 chicks out where I had all the game birds, I sold 2 roos and a hen so I let the rest of the hens out. I'll just keep them. So 1st momma and her 3 chicks are out there now. All safe and sound. But her twin sister that just hatched 3 chicks is still out with hers. And something has gotten the cute little brown chick already. The grass is so high out there and it could have gotten lost and one of my bad cats got it. It was there yesterday. I want to catch her and the chicks and put her in with her sister. I will try tonight. I know where she is now. I saw her last night under the bench in the goat barn.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 3:50:49 PM
I have lost a few through the years but I hate to cage them up. It's really not too bad out here. I have dogs and the goats so I think that helps a little. That's actually one reason why I don't cage them because that's when they get caught and killed. They can't run and get away then.
I will keep the 5 older hens I have because there is no way on God's green earth I can get near them! They are crazy chickens. I am really surprised I caught these little ones. And the older roo. We have been after him for a long time. My hubby even tried to shoot the darn thing and missed twice!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| minnie |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 3:29:58 PM
kristin, in my many years experience, you may wanta keep a few game hens just for hatching eggs, they are also great momas, very protective. Now you say they run losse, don't the varmints around you get them? |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 3:17:33 PM
Hi Minnie and welcome to the MJF forum! Glad to have you here. I have chickens ALL over the place. I free range mine. I have mostly Buffs and then some game hens. Those little buggars just wanna be mommas. Well, I have twins and that's what they do. They each just hatched 3 chicks. Anyway, I don't really have all that many places to make a bunch of chicken pens and I like to see them eating bugs and things. So that's why I think I'd like to just stick to one breed. That way I know what I'm getting. So I am selling the game birds.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| minnie |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 1:56:20 PM
Now why don't you girls seperate your differant breeds into their own coops, then you would not have all this confusion i would think. If I am speaking outa turn, please let me know. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 1:25:52 PM
I found where that silly hen had her nest. I could have stepped on her. There was still an egg there so I threw it away. It was a Buff egg. So that yellow chick could be a pure Buff. Thay are all so cute.
Gena, good thing you have all that room. And that you have such a good hubby.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 07:23:38 AM
Hubby is turning stalls, old goat lots etc.. into chicken houses. He really likes the chickens, and he is so glad I sold all the goats. I guess the trimming hooves thing did him in! Tee Hee !!
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 07:21:16 AM
I will probably for sure keep the Silkies separate. Those will most likely just be pets. I love my Buffs. I will just have to see how sweet the others turn out.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| sherrye |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 06:45:41 AM
goodmorning girls, congrats. on more chicks kris. how fun. we have 5 that are so cute. one just loves my GD kisten. she calls it cry baby. she holds it like a baby. it stays with her. so cute. we have a welsummer sitting on 11 eggs. they are a mix of colors. i run all mine together. the nights and mornings are getting cooler. happy days sherrye still no calf
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 06:23:31 AM
Gena, you will have chickens everywhere soon! Do you keep the different breeds separated or let them all be together? I am having a hard time deciding what to do. I want all my Buffs together so I can have pure Buff chicks. So I am trying to weed out the game birds. But then I want some Welsummer and Cookoo Marans. Is that how it's spelled? Anyway, I love those 2 breeds. So I would want to keep them all separated but where?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 04:04:36 AM
The silkies are getting most of theirs. They are 6 weeks now. It must take that breed longer to mature. The new chicks (1 week old), are really getting feathered fast!
Gena
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 19 2010 : 5:44:27 PM
Thanks, Gena. She has disappeared again. I went back out there and can't find her or the chicks. She'll turn up in the morning I'm sure. I bet youra all have their feathers by now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Aug 19 2010 : 5:07:29 PM
Congrats Kris! I am enjoying my new chicks too. They grow sooo fast.
I hope all yours do well.
Hugs, Gena
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 19 2010 : 3:00:44 PM
I went out to let the goats out into the field awhile ago and saw the other hen that had been setting on some eggs somewhere. She was just sitting in the barn. I saw 2 little heads poking out from under her. So I went and got some water and chick starter for them. When I came back she got up and there were 3 little ones. They are so cute. There's 1 yellow, 1 dark brown and a stripped one. It looks like the yellow one might be a Buff. I hope they all make it.
The other hen and her 3 chicks are still in the cage in the milk room. They will be 2 weeks tomorrow.
So 6 new chicks here at the Outback Farm.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 09 2010 : 6:09:33 PM
That is THE meanest hen I have ever run across. She's crazy. I put gloves on so I could get the little feeder out and fill it up. She did ok when I took it out then went balistic when I put it back in. She got me good on the left arm. Blood everywhere. I had to grab her and hold her to get a poor little chick unstuck from the cage before she killed it. I just about rung a chicken neck for the first time. I was that close.
Sherry, I have not tried the felted soap yet.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sherrye |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 07:41:16 AM
the welsummers eggs are so brown and the yolks are very dark. i do like their easy going ways too. you are right they are good moms too.is your cow settling in at home now? things are settling down here. i am glad i am tired. i just tried one of my soap felt bars like i sent you. the soap does not lather up. was your felt bar soap i sent you like that too? i love the felt bars. i just used the wrong cold process soap in it. wondering about the one i sent you? happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 07:24:25 AM
Sherry, I want some Welsummers. They are such good hens. And the eggs are just beautiful too. I might look into getting soem soon and keep them in a separate place. I hope all your chicks are Welsummers.
The chicks are doing fine so far. They are little yellow puff balls. I hope they are all pure Buff. They look like it so far.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sherrye |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 07:20:01 AM
congrats kris, we just had 5 hatch. we have a mix of well summer and one fryer and i dont knowlol i put another hen in the rabbit hutch with a clutch of 12 eggs. hope she hatches some too. i need the fryers. the GK love the babies. so much fun.happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 06:58:44 AM
Gena, I would love to give you a few of my ole broody girls. I had the 2 game hens and 5 of the Buffs broody this summer. I really would like to get rid of the non Buff chickens soon. They are half crazy. But these 2 game hens that are twins are very good mothers. I hope your little Silkies will set on some eggs for you. I have heard they are good broody hens. And good mothers.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 06:51:17 AM
Oh Kris, I wish at least one of my Buff's would go broody. That would be so neat. I have never had a hen hatch her own chicks. I just recently purchased some Silkie chicks, they say they will hatch anything including duck eggs! Maybe they will hatch some for me next summer.
Give them sweet baby chick kisses for me.
Gena
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
