McAcoull Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 we are soon to be proud parents of hopefully three chicks. Our Silky has been sitting on three eggs for approx 3 weeks. We lifted the eggs and shone a torch onto the shell and heard cheeping .... We have never hatched eggs before WHAT DO WE DO or REQUIRE TO DO ??? Kevin & Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Hi there McAcoull, our chicks are due approx Fri/Sat too. We have been told that our broody hen will do all the work pretty much. You have to make sure that they have chick crumbs to eat and when they want water it has to be one they can't fall into. Once they get to 5 -6 weeks old you can introduce them to the other hens. Its all new to us and pretty much we learn as we go along. I'm sure there are others with more helpful hints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Luckily for you you won't have to do much straight away. You will need to provide the chicks with chick crumb (after 24 hours) and accesible water, be sure to put marbles or pebbles into the dish so they can't drown. Perhaps it would have been best to do your research first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi, I dont know anything about egg hatching im afraid. Did you not look into it first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 You've got somewhere separate to keep the hen and chicks, have you? That's the most important thing, apart from the special food and the fact that they will drown themselves in anything, which have already been mentioned. With a mother to look after them, they should otherwise be all right, as long as they are able to climb into the nesting area with their short legs (they may need a ramp). I hope you have decided what to do with the boys, because that becomes a serious problem later. May they all be girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Bronze is right...it would have been far more sensible to do your research first. Have you got an Eglu? If so you will need to remove the roosting bars and put something down to stop the chickens slipping....and you will also need a ramp, as already mentioned. **This article** will help you, but it is a bit late really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAcoull Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 I was given the eggs by a lady at work whose hens would not sit on her eggs and hatch them.Her hubby is a farmer. I am on holiday at the moment and so is she so could not contact her to ask any questions so thought I'd ask you highly critical folk ... tut tut So yes the Silky is in the shed seperated from the other hens, yes they have water in a shallow bowl, I'm off to Cupar to get chick crumbs this morning. Only reason I came on and asked was I've never done this before and wondered if I'd ticked all the boxes so to speak Thanks for all your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 We have never hatched eggs before WHAT DO WE DO or REQUIRE TO DO ??? Sorry if you are not happy with the answers but the above rather gave the impression that you had made no arrangements and that as hatching is imminent you were in a bit of a flap. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I got that impression too. I'm sorry if its not the case. I'm now going to go and chase my not so little chicks out og my veg patch bah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAcoull Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 very sorry for giving the impression we hadn't considered anything .. jusr got a row off Mrs for "our" original blog as she says it does give that impression .. DUAH as Homer would say. Just checked this morning and so far we have one wee chick and two eggs to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Oh how lovely . Good luck with the other 2 eggs and I hope you've got a camera as we LOVE cute fluffy chick photos . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Yes...we are always delighted to see pictures of chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Wow, how lovely. Hope they all come out alright. Still waiting for ours to hatch. End of the week I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAcoull Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 Right all three chicks appear to be healthly and Mum ( Silkie) is doing very well. They are all in a large cat basket in our shed with fresh water and chick crumbs. Today has been spent constructing a brand new coop and run for them and Mum when they are bigger it should be finished tomorrow. Pictures will hopefully download from camera successfully and will be posted tomorrow as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
