Mama Sussex is still on the nest and we haven't seen any more for a couple of days now. Maybe this is it? We have no idea how many eggs she's setting on. The chicks are all holding their own and doing well.
Mama Buff isn't keen on me taking photos, but I did manage to get some. So far they are staying in the coop.
She is very protective TB! Always goes to position herself between the chicks and the humans. Fortunately they run around enough to get pics anyway. :)
Liz, I know they can be sexed at just a couple days old, but I have no idea how to do it. We usually just wait until they mature enough to see their rooster characteristics. I suspect we have at least one rooster in the bunch!
Anonymous, I originally got the Sussex because I read they were good brooders and mothers. Plus I think they're really pretty. In the past we've found them to abandon their nests before their 21 days. Then last year, a Sussex hatched two chicks in our side yard. When they were two days old she abandoned them to go back to the coop with the rest of the chickens. I don't know if this is the same hen or not, but they're the reason we chose Buff Orpingtons as replacement chickens. Hopefully other people can tell you a more successful story.
RT, they are always the sweetest things. And they grow fast! The amazing thing is that the adult chickens are pretty much leaving the chicks' food and water alone.
I've just started back into blogging about our off grid life on the float cabin in BC. I'm glad to discover you are still blogging. I'll be back to get caught up. - Margy
Margy! I'm so glad you're back to blogging! Is Wayne still writing books? You all have the most interesting lifestyle. Looking forward to getting caught up.
15 comments:
Baby chicks are adorable. Good mama chook for protecting her babies!
For some reason the idea of her not being keen on you taking pictures made me laugh, Leigh.
Nina, she is an excellent mama. All the chicks gravitate right to her, even though they're hatched by another hen.
She is very protective TB! Always goes to position herself between the chicks and the humans. Fortunately they run around enough to get pics anyway. :)
How old do they need to be before you can sex them? I'm interested to know if you've got a little rooster in the coop.
Liz, I know they can be sexed at just a couple days old, but I have no idea how to do it. We usually just wait until they mature enough to see their rooster characteristics. I suspect we have at least one rooster in the bunch!
Its funny that the Sussex hen lets the chicks go so easily. Maybe being broody is more about being on the nest than being a mom?
Anonymous, I originally got the Sussex because I read they were good brooders and mothers. Plus I think they're really pretty. In the past we've found them to abandon their nests before their 21 days. Then last year, a Sussex hatched two chicks in our side yard. When they were two days old she abandoned them to go back to the coop with the rest of the chickens. I don't know if this is the same hen or not, but they're the reason we chose Buff Orpingtons as replacement chickens. Hopefully other people can tell you a more successful story.
It’s just nice that at the end of the day they ended up with the right mom. They are very cute!
She looks like a proud mama!! Baby chicks are so cute.
RT, they are always the sweetest things. And they grow fast! The amazing thing is that the adult chickens are pretty much leaving the chicks' food and water alone.
I've just started back into blogging about our off grid life on the float cabin in BC. I'm glad to discover you are still blogging. I'll be back to get caught up. - Margy
Great "chick pics" in this and your previous post. Do you think of yourself as the grandmother??????
Margy! I'm so glad you're back to blogging! Is Wayne still writing books? You all have the most interesting lifestyle. Looking forward to getting caught up.
Bob, LOL! Can't say that I do. :)
Post a Comment