jayne
Well-Known Member
Hi chicken friends!
I have a broody hen that I put some fertile eggs under three weeks ago tomorrow. Well, on the 5th day, momma returned from a break but sat in the wrong nest for I don't know how long, but I moved her to the eggs as soon as I noticed, but the eggs didn't feel warm to me at all. After that, I didn't think the eggs were going to be good any more, but I let her continue to set on them just in case.
Well, today when the momma took her break (I swear she has a schedule!), I went to check the eggs and two of them are pipping! Whoo hoo! But since I didn't think they were going to hatch, I did not make any plans on where to put them.
Right now momma is sitting in a nest box about 1 foot above the floor in the main coop. I don't want to move her now and get her all upset and was thinking that I could move them all when the chicks have hatched. In the mean time, I will put a piece of cardboard across the front of the nest box so none of them can fall out but mom could still get out if she needs to, although she usually doesn't leave the nest until about 11am.
All the stalls in my barn are empty now. I have one 12x12 stall with 5 foot tall sides and a tight door (my clydesdale's stall) that no chick could exit around. I swept up all the sawdust down to the mats. I intend to spread a bale of hay in there. Does this sound like a good plan for a place for them to live until they can go back to the flock? Should I set up a heat lamp in there just in case? Do you think momma will follow if I grab all her chicks? Should I contain them in a smaller area in the stall until they're bigger, or since momma is with them, do you think they can have the run of the whole stall?
I guess the main reasons I think I need to separate them is to keep the other hens from picking on them, as well as eating their chick starter food.
Do you think I am on the right track or do you have any other ideas? Thanks in advance for your help. I will post pictures once everything is set!
Jayne
I have a broody hen that I put some fertile eggs under three weeks ago tomorrow. Well, on the 5th day, momma returned from a break but sat in the wrong nest for I don't know how long, but I moved her to the eggs as soon as I noticed, but the eggs didn't feel warm to me at all. After that, I didn't think the eggs were going to be good any more, but I let her continue to set on them just in case.
Well, today when the momma took her break (I swear she has a schedule!), I went to check the eggs and two of them are pipping! Whoo hoo! But since I didn't think they were going to hatch, I did not make any plans on where to put them.
Right now momma is sitting in a nest box about 1 foot above the floor in the main coop. I don't want to move her now and get her all upset and was thinking that I could move them all when the chicks have hatched. In the mean time, I will put a piece of cardboard across the front of the nest box so none of them can fall out but mom could still get out if she needs to, although she usually doesn't leave the nest until about 11am.
All the stalls in my barn are empty now. I have one 12x12 stall with 5 foot tall sides and a tight door (my clydesdale's stall) that no chick could exit around. I swept up all the sawdust down to the mats. I intend to spread a bale of hay in there. Does this sound like a good plan for a place for them to live until they can go back to the flock? Should I set up a heat lamp in there just in case? Do you think momma will follow if I grab all her chicks? Should I contain them in a smaller area in the stall until they're bigger, or since momma is with them, do you think they can have the run of the whole stall?
I guess the main reasons I think I need to separate them is to keep the other hens from picking on them, as well as eating their chick starter food.
Do you think I am on the right track or do you have any other ideas? Thanks in advance for your help. I will post pictures once everything is set!
Jayne