Thanks to Coopslave

And how she made a dream come true, not specially for me, but one of my EE gals "Dumplin" or rather soon to be 'Mama Dumpling'.

Dumplin was determined to have babies. She brooded over eggs that were not fertile for 3 months long and right thru the major high heat we had.
She would not be deterred by my tampering, including moving her from one house to another and letting a rooster in with her. She promptly put him in his place and kicked him out!

So in the end I decided to find some fertile eggs for her and set out to do a search. I found Coopslave on this site.
Told her of the problem and she agreed to save some eggs.
She was honest and said she didn't know if they were fertile, cause her rooster were also taken away from the hens. That's one special lady!

Heck at this point I was desperate to try anything. Dumpling was not about to give up and I was worried about her setting so long. I figured if I could get at least 1 baby for her, maybe if real lucky, two.

I got the eggs (1 1/2 doz) brought them home and let them set over night.
I gave Dumplin 5 and she was thrilled to have more eggs. I had only let her have two but would never hatch.
The rest went into the incubator.
I figured I could swap out any that were not fertile with Dumplin.

The big surprise!

Candled @ day 7 and only one was not fertile.
Now if my counting is right that means...17 babies??? whoa.
But I figured anything can still happen and something can go wrong.....
Re candled 10 days later and oh boy much to my amazement, all babies are doing the boogie in there.

We, Dumplin and the bator, are now on locked down.
Dumplin has made a few quick outings today, so she knows something is happening and not leaving those precious eggs for but a few mins..

The very min she goes out, she hollers for me to bring her treats. Hey, what can I say she has me well trained.
I have made sure she gets the best to keep her going.

So what will happen within the next 3 days?

Could this be a very Happy Thanksgiving?

Will up date when things start happening.

That is an amazing story, and will be a very happy Thanksgiving for your and Dumplin.

Wow, the time has flown. Glad they were fertile for you. Dumplin is going to be one happy girl in a few days!!

Hidden River

Thanks.
She has always been stubborn about what she wanted to do since shes was a tiny fluff ball. Doing her own thing.
Looks like it will pay off for her once again...I hope.


Coopslave

Thanks again.

Yes time sure has flown.

I had almost thought that she might give up, now that she had fertile eggs. Not her!

I have a heat lamp all set up and ready to go in there. She can't possible set all those babies if they all hatch. Tho knowing her she might just do it.
We will see.

Also have a little brooder set up in here in case of any problems.

Oh boy we got an early bird in the bator.
Hard to tell if its a white egg or extremely light blue.
Not sure if thats good or bad at this point.
Pipped the shell shortly after 3pm on day 19.
Bet that little stinker will make me wait for a couple days.

Dumpling is sitting so tight I can not get a good look at how shes doing and she is not getting off her nest.
So can't check to see how her lot is going.

CountryCabin wrote:Oh boy we got an early bird in the bator.
Hard to tell if its a white egg or extremely light blue.
Not sure if thats good or bad at this point.
Pipped the shell shortly after 3pm on day 19.
Bet that little stinker will make me wait for a couple days.

Dumpling is sitting so tight I can not get a good look at how shes doing and she is not getting off her nest.
So can't check to see how her lot is going.

When my broodies don't move, I sit quietly beside them and just listen and stare, usually one will poke it's head out from under momma or peep.

Congrats on your fall hatch!

Oct 7

Mama Dumpling has 6 babies under her and 3 eggs left.
She let me see them when I put my hand under her, she rose up.
That is one happy and proud little gal!

There is two chicks in the little brooder here (which will go out the her) and one egg in the bator has a pip.

The rest of the eggs are 'wait and see' as tomorrow Monday was to be hatch day.

Just wanted to give this update for coopslave.


Sweetened:

Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

How many did you finish up with? Is Dumplin able to take them all, it would sure make your life easier if she can.

You know when you talk about chicks you have to post pictures of them, right?

Ya, it would be neat to hear how Dumplin made out after all. There is nothing more cool than the broody mamma for sure. Have a wonderful day, CynthiaM.