[lotstodo]

I am after some advice and tips.

One of our chooks has gone broody. Wilma is a 10 month old silver lace hybrid and she has been staying in the nest box for the last few days sitting on the eggs that have been layed that day. She has only come out for food and water, she looks healthy and happy so thats ok. we have been given some fertile bantam eggs from the mother in law so we swapped the eggs Wilma was sitting on for these. She is still quite happily sitting on them.  

As we have not done this before I would like some help on a few things. I am going to get a broody box for her tomorow and make a sepperate run and have in next to the other one so they can still see each other to stop any fights when they get back together.

Does anyone know if there will be a problem with bantams and our chooks being together as they are very big birds?

Do I feed the chicks mash or do they have special food?

Do I feed them from day 1? may be a stupid question but must ask
 :roll:

Any thing else I need to know?

Photos will be posted as soon as things happen.

[babe]

make sure she has plenty of fresh water and mixed corn and some grit.

the rest she'll do herself.

once hatched just give them all chick crumbs, she'll get them eating.

lots of members have hatched eggys with broodies, so just ask as you go along

[lotstodo]

This may sound silly but do chucks change their cluck when they get broody? My hybrid is doing well so far, still on the nest of 4 pekin eggs   Although when she gets up she has a tendency to stand on them  :roll:  Early days I know but i'm getting soo excited..

[mdueal]

yes they get 'clucky' and fairly evil! our silkie puffs herself up and walks with her wings out a bit when she nips out for food - she looks like a turkey!

[muntjac]

and leave her where she is now  

[lotstodo]

it worked!!!!! 21 days later and we have 3 beautiful pekin bantam chicks and a happy mom. 4th egg hasn't hatched yet, will leave her be for another day and see what happens.


Gorgeous arn't they, just 2 popped out to say hello this evening No3 was hiding under mom, caught a glimpse when I went down to give her some fresh water and she happened to move around, so no pics of No 3 yet.

 


We're very proud of her.

keep you all updated on the fourth. fingers crossed.

[SnooziSuzi]

aw how sweet!  congrats!

[lotstodo]

the amount of pacing up and down the garden was worth it, had to go out to stop the temptation of peeking.  

[compostqueen]

oh how lovely. Well done mum, and you too  

[Vember]

Ahh Congratulations

Babies are sooo Cute

[Belinda]

Ah how sweet well done

[lotstodo]

Thanks guys, little update for you. All 4 have arrived safely. Bit worried about the 4th one yesterday. We have 1 yellow and 3 black with yellow flecks.  

Took photos but not very computer minded, so afraid will have to wait till hubby gets back from work to upload them to show you. :oops:  :roll:

Now will have to sit and wait to see what we have. My dad wasn't convinced that it would work as the eggs had been laid over 3-4 days and kept in the fridge. Isn't nature wonderfull? One dedicated broody and 4 beauties.

Now I'm begining to wonder if mum is a hybrid..... Maybe she just didn't inherit the 'non-broody, bad-mum gene' ? Any ideas?  :?