Monday saw one of the chooks become clucky. none of the others have been clucky before, i don't think Light Sussex are really known for their broodiness. the big hen though is persistent. we picked her up from the nest box and placed her outside but time and time again she returned to her straw lined nest.
we considered buying some fertile eggs to pop under her, but the thought of poor hatching rate, male chicks amongst the hatchlings and the big hen giving up on being clucky before the eggs hatched was not appealing. instead we ended up with two Australorp cross chicks. speaking to the man from the pet shop it was just a matter of waiting until night-time then removing the eggs from under her and replacing them with the chicks. this was last night and so far so good. the chicks snuggle under her wings and she is very protective of them, a good sign. hopefully this good mothering continues.
have you tried putting chicks under a clucky hen before? did it work?
Love these pictures. We had chooks but none of them ever became clucky.. They were just layer crosses though. Love the idea of these baby chicks...I'll look forward to hearing how they/ you all get on xx
ReplyDeleteDavid & I were really interested in your post. Keep us up to date on what happens !! Our chicks are 6 weeks now and it looks like out of the 6 , one Light Sussex is a rooster and one Speckled. xx
ReplyDeleteVery clever, sneaking them in at night! Hope it all goes well, they are very cute. mel x
ReplyDeleteoh I love that...she is a mummy now, she must have wanted babies very much and you got her some.... :)
ReplyDeleteAw! The mother hen looks so protective of her new adoptive chooks, they're so cute xx
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any chooks but I do want to say your photos are gorgeous! I hope she is still being a good mama :) Your dress in the last photo is beautiful, lovely work. x
ReplyDeleteWOW - I never knew you could do this Zara!!! Thanks for sharing - I have a couple of chooks that are always clucky and have often wondered if it was possible to gift them someone else's babies - now I know you can...
ReplyDeleteThanks... xx
My sussex hens get broody too, which surprised me as I had always heard they wouldn't. Good to hear they take on hatchlings so easily.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing how it goes, and seeing more lovely pictures!
B
When ours get broody we just let them get on with it but never knew you could do this. Are the other chooks being nice to the babies too? It's probably easier than introducing new chickens with all that palaver and social hierarchy stuff!
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