We have 6 chicks to date, more on the way. The Bantams are blissfully unaware that they are foster parents!
I was a little worried by our style of birthing centre this time; Housed in a converted cupboard inside a 3m x 3m secure compound, 3 Bantams sit close together incubating 15 eggs. Far from being a problem, their close proximity has meant that the three 'would-be' mothers have shared the chick care: They take turn sitting on the eggs, scratting with the hatched babies outside the coop and at night the chicks snuggle under which ever mother is closest. A great family model.
Love it! Had terrible time so far this year with egg hatching hoping that we will have chicks before too long - seems awfully quiet without them. Lost WHOLE laying flock to fox so now trying to restock with those that were in the big pen (@20 late to bedders) on the night rather than in the hen hut.
ReplyDeleteTattie: We lost 4 lovely free range hens to an onslaught of foxes this winter. I'm convinced people are catching townie foxes and releasing them to rural areas where they instantly go for easy prey - our chickens. We have enough foxes already thanks!
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