Miss Maisie went broody 3 times last year, but I never let her raise a single chick. I would normally stick some eggs under her and let her do her thing, but since I was “incubating” babies, I decided it was best not to have more little things to take care of.  So she had a little break.

If you remember, Big Mama was my official broody whisperer, but, since she is gone, Maisie has taken over the duty graciously.

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So Maisie went broody and the big boys and I really were itching to hatch.  So we went big.  We set 40 eggs in the incubator and put another 12 under her.

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We hatched eggs from our own flock of Olive Eggers, we have 4th generation OE’s hatching.  I am really excited to see what comes from these eggs.  I love having my own breeding project in my back yard.  I breed mostly for the color of the egg, but lately have been selecting for feather color and fluff, as the egg color is really great.  With this batch I am hoping to get a new rooster and some more pretty pullets.

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So far we’ve hatched about 28 chicks, and got some really neat colors that I haven’t hatched before.  JCH_8359
They like to hide and tuck underneath Maisie’s fluff, it’s amazing that they can all fit.

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Maisie will raise them for about 4-5 weeks until she thinks they are fit to fend for themselves and she will return to the flock and resume laying eggs.

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I am hoping to sell most of the chicks, much to the dismay of the big boys, as they want to keep them all.
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Anyone want some chicks?

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2 Responses

  1. Maisie is so pretty! And look at all those gorgeous chicks, too. I can’t wait to hatch out another batch of your eggs, Jenna….I think this makes order number 6. Best Olive Eggers around. 🙂
    P.S. I bet the boys are in chick heaven!

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