Single hen

[MadMitch]

Well Dilys is broody yet again the little minx, shes the only one I have a problem with.

I was telling Brenda whom I got my girls from and she went and said why don't you take some fertile eggs from me as if shes going to be broody for 3 weeks she might as well produce something from it.

I'd already prepared myself for 3 weeks of turfing her out of the nest box several times a day but hadn't considered the chick option.

Now shes gone and tempted me.

Should I consider getting a rabbit hutch, sticking her in there and giving it a go or should I just stick with the turfng out option. Oh I hate making decisions.

[Egluntyne]

Why not try a broody cage? They are the best option.

 

If you use her to hatch, you will have to condsider what you will do with any males, and will need separate accommodation for her.

[MadMitch]

Why not try a broody cage? They are the best option.

 

If you use her to hatch, you will have to condsider what you will do with any males, and will need separate accommodation for her.

 

 

I'm going to get some eggs as I was chatting to one of my neighbours down the road and he has said he will buy them all off me. He also wants the cockerals so a bit of a win for me. I also now don't have to worry about how I could squeeze some more girls in if I get attached. It means I get the experience of rasing my first chicks without needing to worry about what to do with them.

[The Dogmother]

Good news Michelle, but do make sure that you have alternative housing and all the kit before you start.

[MadMitch]

Good news Michelle, but do make sure that you have alternative housing and all the kit before you start.

 

I'm picking up a new little house and run today. I have a chick feeder and drinker and will pick up the crumbs a bit later.

Can you please let me know what other things I would need?

Also would I be able to put the new house and run inside my big run or is it better to keep them totally seperate from the other lot?

Its all new to me, time to get out my books and have a good read up.

[The Dogmother]

It would be OK to put the broody house inside the bigger run just so long as they are kept seperate.

 

You'll need some marbles or fine gravel to put in the drinker at first - small chicks are incredibly dense and have been known to drown themselves!

 

Non-slip flooring in the hosuing too to avoid them getting splay legs. I use that non-slip webbing stuff that they sell in hardware stores to keep things on trays - it's washable too.

 

I bright but small torch for candling the eggs.

 

Good luck and have fun!