ChickenCrossing.Org

I had 4 bantys sitting over the last 3 or so weeks. Ubunta, U2, Mama Cass and Giggles.



Ubunta has 3 and is showing the ropes.

Mama Cass has 4 and does not mind if her babies hang out with Ubunta's brood.

(It's funny to see them get all worked up if either of us tries to get a peep regardless of who's peep it is!)





Giggles has 6 babies...and she is still in the brooder with them because they just hatched over the last 24 hours.

U2 is still sitting on some(hopefully) viable eggs.



I say "has" vs "hatched" because we did things a bit different this time around.



Normally, we let the hens hatch some eggs and raise them to adulthood but some of the hens (U2 or Ubunta...not sure?) although will sit until the eggs hatch will leave their babies before they are full grown...to their own luck.



Then there are the ones that will sit and rear their babies until they are full grown and beyond. Mama Cass, Farrah and Shelly are these.



However, this is Giggles' first year sitting and we decided to give her a chance at being a mother...to see how good she is at it.

So, we removed the eggs that hatched under U2 and Ubunta (we let her have 3 but once she abandons them...or if she does...we will KNOW it is her and remove the babies.

U2 will be given ONE peep (my guilt taking over here) so that she doesn't sit forever...until she abandons them. Or IF she does.

Mama Cass is being the good mother that she's always been...defending her babies from ANY one. Including the brown Mexican. LOL!

Giggles...has been acting good too. Once we give her a baby...she tucks it under her with her beak...chirping. We have been watching her to make sure she doesn't turn on them or hurt them. In fact, she's VERY gentle.

It's such a sweet thing to watch...when she gets all puffed up to allow that one more baby as we add more babies. LOL!



I keep making sure we are not stressing her out and not to give her more than she can handle...so maybe 1 or 2 more MAX.

Assuming we hatch 1 or 2 more babies...



Now...I have to find a photosharing site that permits Linux. I was told I cannot use Photobucket any more because I have Linux. It's weird since I've had Linux for a few months now and this *issue* with Photobucket arose recently. Weird!



I'll find a place and post pictures...promise!

Pedro

Last edited by paganfish (09-10-2009 08:05:18)