April 20, 200916 yr As soon as the first chick arrives I put nesting materials in. Otherwise the box gets very dirty and the chick has a higher chance of developing splayed legs. I find after the chick hatches the hen doesnt bother throwing the nesting material out. good luck. Just had a thought, how do people go about putting nesting materials in? Do you need to move all the eggs before you put it in? Also, I've read a lot on here about the different nest materials people are using, I was thinking of using rolled oats (as they're already in the cupboard :cake: ), but was wondering about the type of kitter litter some people are using.... what brand is it? I am currently using the oats...it works well. Used kitty litter before but some of the sharp edges put holes in the eggs.
April 29, 200916 yr Well done... Let the birds do what they have been imprinted to do and look after their chicks. I would check in a few hours to see if the hens is feeding.. How is the oterh two eggs going?
April 30, 200916 yr Author okay, what I took to be a hatching egg, was obviously an egg that had been cracked (a very small indentation) for some time. What felt like a chick wriggling (felt exactly the same as when I used to have bantams!!) was actually the dried up stuff inside rolling about . Not sure about the other 2 yet. They are due around now, so will have a closer look tonight, maybe candle them again to see if we're wasting time or not. If neither are going to hatch, I'll have to think about whether to let them try for another round or not, as it is getting colder here, still quite nice during the day though...
April 30, 200916 yr Author Just candled the remaining 2 eggs, it looks like one stopped at the same stage of development as the first one, however, I'm pretty sure the 3rd egg is live...will keep fingers crossed
May 1, 200916 yr Definite cheeping coming from one of the eggs now Egg-citing news you are going to be a grandparent
May 1, 200916 yr Definite cheeping coming from one of the eggs now Egg-citing news you are going to be a grandparent grandparent?
May 1, 200916 yr Definite cheeping coming from one of the eggs now Egg-citing news you are going to be a grandparent grandparent?
May 1, 200916 yr Author One beautifully fed little jelly bean in the nest box! :question: The remaining egg has been thrown out, I was pretty sure it was a no go anyway! Photos later.
May 3, 200916 yr That is sooo cute. I'm very happy for you. My lutino is sitting on one egg and I don't think she will produce more at this point. I was wondering though, doesn't mummy get a bit cranky if you touch her eggs and/or babies? I'm just leaving mine be for now although I do check in the box. I don't want to tempt fate. Congrats once again
May 3, 200916 yr Author Mother gets very cranky, but just took bubs out so that I could put some bedding material in the nest box
May 3, 200916 yr Depends on the hen. I have one that lets me give her a scratch and play with the babies while she's in there. She'll nibble on my fingers (not bite), and is generally very placid.
May 7, 200916 yr Author Chick going very well! At what age can you start to tell whether a chick is going to be dominant pied or normal, what would I need to look for..? :hooray:
May 7, 200916 yr Chick going very well! At what age can you start to tell whether a chick is going to be dominant pied or normal, what would I need to look for..? :offtopic: Just before pin feathers come through you can see the clear patch on the back of the head if its going to be dominant pied.
May 11, 200916 yr Author About all I can tell so far is the chick is opaline, judging by the white down (and the fact that it is a hen from an opaline father)! :hap: New pics soon - I promise! Edited May 11, 200916 yr by SJW
May 13, 200915 yr Author Here's the pics! I'm guessing this is one of those nestbox surprises everyone talks about!! First the parents: Cock Hen And the chick I'd be very interested to know what those of you with experience with chicks mutations think! My guess would be that the cock is split for recessive pied....? Any other thoughts?
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