Going to try hatching for the first time, advice?

If push comes to shove Randy...I could be a surrogate mum:WINK1:

 

Don't look at me RR. I'm too old and crafty to volunteer for jobs like that ! I'll just coo over the piccies thank you,
Jenny

 

Hen pecked comes to mind ...

Spruce

 

Oiy....Jenny Namaste...you're never too old

 

Watch it Spruce

 

Yeah Spruce . Leave my mate alone or I'll tell my mum of you.

 

This is a chicken thread I was only pointing out that "hens peck" thats all nothing else.

Spruce (with egg on his face )

 

I get you Spruce :WINK1:

 

the "mums" didnt spend very long outside. Later on this avo, I found Squeak sitting on the grass (and as it turned out, the chick) & leaving Bubble on 11 eggs!
Tomorrow is the last day that any eggs should hatch, so it looks like Peep Peep may be an only chick

 

Oh bother, we'll keep em crossed.

 

no more chicks as far as I know Bubble & Squeak have been spending more time outside today, so I think they know its a lost cause now.
I will clean them out tomorrow and take away the remaining eggs

 

oooh only 1 , do they both think they are the mum and does peep peep follow one or both of them ?

put each egg up to a strong light you will be able to see if a chick is inside

Spruce

 

I've tried "candling" but the shells are so thick I can't see anything.

Squeak (the lighter coloured hen) is mummy number 1 and does most of the looking after, she's very protective. Bubble is allowed to brood him occasionally lol

 

It's a him then - is it?
Oh what a lonely boy
(Billy Joel)

 

I don't know how to sex a chicken I dunno why I called it a him.

anyhoo, I took the other eggs away today and cleaned them out. It's quite funny watching them steal the chick from each other