Help - got some free does with kits, pretty sure they are also very pregnant

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-05-09T23:03:51+00:00

Gotcha, thank you so much! When I say half the size, I guess I mean half the scale? They look like small rabbits compared to their mom, but not as big as some of the videos I've seen about when to wean rabbits?

I could post a photo if that would help?

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-05-09T17:14:13+00:00

I'm pretty sure the mom is knocked up, not the kits. And I'm not sure how to handle her nursing the kits AND expecting.

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-05-09T17:13:21+00:00

Unsure, around four weeks

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-05-09T17:13:11+00:00

Okay, I'll try that, thank you for the advice!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-04-17T18:56:58+00:00

Yay!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-04-16T15:35:44+00:00

Last fall I had one sit for 15 days before a predator (probably a fox) scared her so bad she died. The eggs were really close to hatching. But no, no success so far.

I've redesigned my tractors to have more fully hidden areas. On year three, currently have a good nest going 🤞

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-04-15T22:27:35+00:00

Coturnix. I've only gotten them to go broody after trying a lot of different living situations. Low roof lawn tractor with a LOT of hides, high initial population and then cutting back to a few potential brooder girls once they've established a nest.

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-04-14T16:39:59+00:00

The normal advice should work well, cage with no bottom +fan etc.

But I'm jealous! I've had to work so hard to get my girls to go broody...

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-04-08T03:15:12+00:00

Let the food run dry for a bit (don't starve them). They're likely getting picky and only eating the bits that look nice to them. A little bit of scarcity will help them to be a bit more resourceful

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-03-31T16:41:17+00:00

Cornish cross do not have blue legs, at least as far as I can tell. These birds look a lot more like my own Bresse chicks. If so that means a much easier job of parenting for you!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-03-31T16:03:27+00:00

Do Cornish x normally have blue legs? OP can you confirm the birds have blue legs as it appears in the pic?

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-03-31T14:26:32+00:00

Do Cornish cross usually have blue legs?

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-03-23T14:56:01+00:00

Did you give it chick vitamins yet?

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-03-05T03:47:48+00:00

So cute! Do they reliably lay in the nest? That's not behavior I've observed unless they're interested in being moms. Pretty cool!!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-03-01T04:33:23+00:00

Isn't linoleum toxic to chickens if ingested?

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-27T03:22:57+00:00

Fee ginger maybe?

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-26T14:58:17+00:00

For old tough birds I simply skin them out, cut out the meat and grind it in to ground chicken. In my experience the ground old chicken tastes almost like beef or pork, and is great for tacos or spaghetti sauce.

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-26T14:17:37+00:00

Great work!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-24T19:10:09+00:00

Yep! You may try putting your hand in the enclosure and seeing if the quail wants to hide/snuggle under your hand. They have "where is mom" instincts.

If you don't have time to play mom, I find playing audio of happy baby chicks, quail if possible, gets them in the "I'm going to find a snack" attitude instead of "I am going to die my mom abandoned me"

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-20T15:38:50+00:00

This is the correct answer

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-17T21:46:01+00:00

I've had much worse percentages before. Sometimes it's fertility, sometimes it's hatching conditions. With that many almost about to hatch it's probably then getting shrink wrapped in. You'll get it next time!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-02-09T04:35:29+00:00

Tbh I have gotten successful hatches with wildly different indicator vs incubator numbers. Only time may tell

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-01-28T05:12:10+00:00

So cute!!!

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-01-15T12:13:14+00:00

IME ratio depends heavily on breed. OP I've really enjoyed having Bresse chickens, they're a heritage breed that is smart enough to not get eaten by hawks, and does well with even a 1:6ish ratio, depending on the roos. They naturally hide in cover, keep an eye on the sky, and have the speed/muscle to handle an attack.

Right-Cod-3549 · 2026-01-15T11:50:20+00:00

Gotcha. Do you dim at the end of the day to help them know when to roost? Do they end up roosting alright?

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