Proud Mama

[thistlebloom]

I had a Seabright in one of my last flocks. She never went broody on me though. But Sweetpea is like clockwork every spring.

The neighbors are hoping to have her brood some of their eggs next spring if they don't have a hen go broody. They have her son as a flock rooster. He's Dutch bantam and Bantam cochin, but doesn't seem to have any trouble with his rooster duties.

 

[canesisters]

How exciting!!! I just about busted when I went out and found one of my old girls had snuck a nest and hatched a chick this fall.

 

[journey11]

How exciting!!! I just about busted when I went out and found one of my old girls had snuck a nest and hatched a chick this fall.

Did you end up with just one as well? I'm hoping mine won't end up being an "only child", LOL. These bantams are hard to contain and just fly right over the fence. I'll probably have chicks popping out of the woodwork all season long...literally!

 

[thistlebloom]

The guy I got my Seabright girl from sold a wide variety of pullets.
The seller told me that every evening the Seabright flock would fly out of the pen to roost on a power line, but return in the morning to the pen. I thought that was interesting that they would come back to the pen. I don't remember her being hard to contain though.

 

[valley ranch]

Your hen is beautifully fletched, like each feather was painted separately.

I made a incubator, it's great to see them hatch.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

I hope to have chickens again someday and would love to see a newly hatched chick and watch it grow up with its mama.

Adorable!

 

[journey11]

The seller told me that every evening the Seabright flock would fly out of the pen to roost on a power line, but return in the morning to the pen. I thought that was interesting that they would come back to the pen. I don't remember her being hard to contain though.

I'm sure they were motivated by food. Mine get out and run around part of the day and come back to the coop to eat and roost. I've tried trimming one wing, but they can also squeeze through the electric netting. If I collect any more bantams, I think I'll have to build them a coop of their own.

I made a incubator, it's great to see them hatch.

Do you still hatch? I'd love to see a pic of it next time you have it loaded up. How much did it cost you to build?

 

[valley ranch]

Haven't for a while, I'll see if the girls can come up with the photos.

 

[canesisters]

Did you end up with just one as well? I'm hoping mine won't end up being an "only child", LOL. These bantams are hard to contain and just fly right over the fence. I'll probably have chicks popping out of the woodwork all season long...literally!

Yes, just the one... And he's a roo. I had a long talk with Benzo - my current top roo. In the past 2 years I've only had 10 chicks hatch (I don't usually let them brood) and ONLY ONE had been a female. I told Benzo that he needed to get to adjusting whatever he had going on or he's going to find himself out of a job! If I'm going to raise them from babies.. I at least want a FEW hens!

 

[journey11]

Well, finally took the other eggs from her long enough to candle them today. She quit sitting on them, so I figured it would be ok. They have been goners for some time now and were nothing but yucky goo.

This will be one coddled little chickie, being an only child and all. Mama and baby are doing well and I think I'll move them into a new clean brooder in the basement tomorrow if the arctic winds quit blowing long enough to take them outside.