Our First Broody and Incubator Hatch: a Diary

[igorsMistress]

We have a Rhode Island Red, Ruby, that is broody. I've tried everything Ice packs, separate cage, boot her out all the time. She won't take no for an answer. So tomorrow I pick up some fertile eggs to let her hatch Naked Neck X Bresse parents, have bow ties. We recently lost two very fluffy Australorps to the heat. The 2 NN's we have are doing quite well so we're slowly making a change to these exclusively. I love the way they look!

Ruby is nesting in a box about 15 inches above the dirt floor so I'm going to move her. I have a wire crate to put her in, on the floor, but I'm debating about a towel or something to cover the sides and top. It's pretty hot here right now. Will work on that in the morning. I'm leaving her in with the flock as she's #2 in the pecking order for good reason. Her sister the pigeon slayer is first

I've never done this before. I've had tons of baby pigeons, kittens, puppies, humans. Well ok only a couple of humans. Never a broody chicken though. This will be a first for all of us. Oldest GS is super excited

I have an incubator on standby but I think one of the NN'S may be going broody again too so it might not be necessary Will see where she is tomorrow morning and how serious she is.

 

[BlueBaby]

I have to watch this for sure! See you tomorrow! I changed my avatar to the daddy of the eggs.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

We have a Rhode Island Red, Ruby, that is broody. I've tried everything Ice packs, separate cage, boot her out all the time. She won't take no for an answer. So tomorrow I pick up some fertile eggs to let her hatch Naked Neck X Breese parents, both have bow ties. We recently lost two very fluffy Australorps to the heat. The 2 NN's we have are doing quite well so we're slowly making a change to these exclusively. I love the way they look!

Ruby is nesting in a box about 15 inches above the dirt floor so I'm going to move her. I have a wire crate to put her in, on the floor, but I'm debating about a towel or something to cover the sides and top. It's pretty hot here right now. Will work on that in the morning. I'm leaving her in with the flock as she's #2 in the pecking order for good reason. Her sister the pigeon slayer is first

I've never done this before. I've had tons of baby pigeons, kittens, puppies, humans. Well ok only a couple of humans. Never a broody chicken though. This will be a first for all of us. Oldest GS is super excited

I have an incubator on standby but I think one of the NN'S may be going broody again too so it might not be necessary Will see where she is tomorrow morning and how serious she is.

My Ruby and I sending best of luck on your hatch.

 

[igorsMistress]

I moved Ruby and the 2 eggs she had to the wire crate. She was surprisingly docile during the move. No go, she left them for eggs in a nest box.

New plan: add the third nest box back to the coop, put litter on the floor and prep a nest area under her box for after hatch. I can raise the floor significantly with litter so littles should be ok to get out of the box without injury.

There's food and water, she's in the corner box so no one will bother her there.

The NN isn't broody, I'm good with it

 

[meetthebubus]

Exciting good luck!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I’m excitied! Good luck!

 

[BlueBaby]

@igorsMistress Did you put them under the hen, yet?

 

[igorsMistress]

6 eggs went under Ruby late this afternoon. 3 CLB X NN/ Bresse and 3 NN X Bresse from @BlueBaby that I picked up today. Hatch date should be late on August 3.

At roost she was still on the eggs in the nest box of her choice. Here we go.

 

[igorsMistress]

I’m excitied! Good luck!

Me too! Thanks

 

[BlueBaby]

August 3rd, huh? I'm well stocked up on coffee over here, and I'll be turning my incubator back on soon!