Broody Mommas

Wow, it sure has been a long time since I posted a new entry.  I have been encouraged to get back to it, so that is what I am going to do.  And what could be a better time than today...you see, because today I am allowing two broody hens to get to work and hatch some spring chicks.  

So this morning we did a rough cleaning of both coops. I don't like to do deep cleaning in the winter because all of that built up poop and bedding makes for very nice insulation, but we did take some out and added in new bedding.  When the coops were all cleaned and the chickens approved I set up two dog crates and moved the broody mommas from their high nesting boxes to the dog crates.  Why do they always pick the most inappropriate nesting boxes??? Silly girls!  So I am doing a little test with them for the next 24 hours or so.  I gave them a few eggs to sit on today and I want to see how serious they are about sitting.  In the past I have had girls sit for a few days, lose interest and quit.  So before I decide just how many and which ones they will get for a full incubation, I will test them first.  

Right now, all of my flock is running together, so it is hard to determine fertility rate and all the chicks will be mixed breeds...but that is okay, there is a lot to be said about hybrid vigor.  My neighbor needs some chicks to replenish her flock, and she doesn't care if they are mutts.  So I think I will give each hen about 8-10 eggs each and hope for a 50% hatch rate.  Since there is not a way to determine if an egg is fertile without cracking it open, we just have to hope for the best.  It is all part of the fun of it.  

So here are the broody girls. 

Both of these girls are Blue Laced Red Wyandottes.  I got them at the same time last year as day old chicks.  I like to think of them as sisters.  As you can see the girl in the top photo has more blue in her coloring and the one below has more red.  They need names...I have always just referred to them as the Blue Laced Sisters.  So if you have suggestions for names, we would love to hear them.  

And finally, here is a picture of Lou, my little white Silkie hen...I believe she is about to lay her first egg.  She gets in the box for a while, gets out and sings and then gets back in the box.  I just love her and would love to have more Silkies.