[janeheritage]

Mostly for Cathangirl but for anyone else who is interested, here are pictures of Ethel's broody box and Ethel on it. What a good girl she is.

Please cross fingers and any other convenient appendages for her  

[cathangirl]

Jane, that looks super.  How snug Ethel looks and so contented too!  Th ladder reminds me of those ravine swing bridges. 
How often does she go down to feed, drink and t'other?
Have your other girls attempted to go an nose about?
cathangirl/ Mary

[too many girls]

when the chicks arrive they'll topple out.

[janeheritage]

Ah now you might think that, mightn't you? But such is the cunning of my other half that the entire broodybox is dismountable. While the babies are arriving (fingers crossed  ) we will close the flap (which you can just see hanging down under the ladder). And when they're all there, we will dismount the whole box during the days and put it under a secure Weldmesh run on nice short grass for their little baby feet.

Mary, the others have gone up and had a poke around. But every time one of them shows her head at the top of the ladder Ethel lets out an indignant scream, quite like a little old lady, and they wander off again.

I take her off the nest by force once a day. She gave me a good peck this morning. She spends about 5 - 10 minutes out, eating corn from my hand, drinking, doing chicken yoga (it's amazing the number of different ways she can stretch) and having a 'normous poo. Then it's straight back up her India Jones ladder!

[joyfull]

When are the eggs due to hatch? The ones under my broody are due next Sunday all being well 

[cathangirl]

Joyfull,
Jane's eggs are on day 20/21, same as mine.  Ethel and my Hetty are in sync.  The eggs went under our girls on Friday.  Does that make it day 19/20 instead?   
cathangirl

[joyfull]

I think you count the day you put them under the hen or in an incy as day 0 and go fom there - well thats what I did with my bantams and they hatched on days 20 and 21 

[cathangirl]

Thanks for that Joy.
Mary.

[cathangirl]

I was counting in reverse; like D-Day minus 21   

[joyfull]

That might be the way to do it     So my eggs are either on day 14 or day 8 
Think I'll stick with my way as day 14 

[joyfull]

Hi cathandgirl and janeheritage, how are your broodys doing, must be due soon - mine hatched last Monday/Tuesday - 5 little copper blue marans  . Keep me posted 

[janeheritage]

Hi Joyfull. Ethel is sitting tight but the eggs don't look good - when I last candled them I couldn't see a thing. I'm going to have another go tonight and will report back but I feel glum! 

Anyone know anything about introducing day old chicks? I feel I shouldn't let her sit so long without any outcome...

[joyfull]

Sorry cant help you there either with the candling bit (never done it although chicken lady did some eggs to show me when I went round there) or with introducing young ones. Perhaps someone else on here could give you some advice. xx

[Vember]

When did you last candle them Jane? How many days in?

Introducing day olds can be tricky You just never know how the hen will react. I've had them sit like real good girls then the minute the babies hatch they attack them Others will adopt babies at the drop of a hat

If you do decide to get day olds be ready for the chance that she might not accept them ie have somewhere for them to live and some form of heat, just in case  

Sarah

[janeheritage]

Just had another look at all of the eggs and nothing whatsoever is visible. I have to conclude that they are all duds  .

I'm going to start a new thread on introducing day olds to see if anyone has any advice to offer!

Best of luck with yours Mary - fingers crossed and everything else  :blink: