Phosphorus Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Hi, my girl is on day 11 today of sitting on her 5 eggs in the eglu. I still have the roosting bars in but realise that those are not going to be so good with chicks After recommendations on what to do to turn eglu into a brooder for those of you who have hatched under a broody hen in an eglu. Do you leave the bars in and cover them with a board or something and then put cloth over it to help the chicks grip or do you take them out completely and just fill the tray and space with aubiose etc? I currently have bars in as stated and Gemma is sitting on an aubiose nest with her eggs. Thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I havent been in the same situation but here are my thoughts anyway! If it was me I would take the bars out and fill the tray with Aubiose quite deeply so there was not much of a step down from the next box, you could cover with a cloth for the first few days If you have a big gap above the poo tray you might need to put some tape across it to avoid losing the Aubiose through it! My table birds (older) are in an Eglu with no bars and I find it easy to clean them out using a plastic scoop to remove the bedding through the eggport then remove the empty tray for cleaning if I need to as pulling the tray out with a ton of bedding and poo on it is hard! You could board it I guess but the boards would have to be well fitted or you could end up with some chick sized holes! I would be reluctant to introduce wood if I didnt need to because of mite buts thats me being paranoid! also the disturbance of fitting boards may upset the broody whereas the bars can quickly be whipped out through the eggport door while the broody is eating Sounds exciting - good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I took mine out and filled it up with aubiose with a gentle slope to the door, they are very happy in there. I did put my eggs just in the eglu part though and not in the nest box. Mainly because she is quite a big girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Thanks Tasha and Madmitch. I was definately on the side of aubiose myself She is really happy in there with that at the moment. Tasha - didn't know I could get the bars out throug the egg hatch - might try that. I had envisioned having to take the top off and do it that way (haven't had eglu for long ). Definately don't want to hassle her any more than necessary. How would a baby towel work on top of the aubiose - could the chicks grip on that okay? I have a couple of old ones that are too stained to give away/sell Going to wait until day 18 and then do it the last day I move her out of the eglu to eat. Thinking of then letting her be for the last few days as a few people have recommended - in the same ilk as not turning eggs in an incy after day 18 So so hope at least two hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I didn't move my girl for the last few days but I did open the egg port and gave her a handfull of mealworms or sweetcorn twice a day just to keep her going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I didn't move my girl for the last few days but I did open the egg port and gave her a handfull of mealworms or sweetcorn twice a day just to keep her going. Don't worry I will be doing that - well the corn anyway. I think she is living on just that at the moment - she's realised that she doesn't need to bother with the pellets just munch happily on the extra corn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Ive got a broodie sitting on eggs in an eglu. I have taken the bars out and have her on aubiouse and straw. Again,shes not in the nest box part, but is in the main body of the eglu. I turf her out for about 10-20 mins twice a day to eat and drink and apart from that leave her to it. I'm on day 6, so a long way behind you. Have you hatched before? I havent. What are you doing with your males? I've got a friend who is taking them for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I think I am going to take the roosting bars out in a few days and maybe move the eggs into the middle of the eglu - not sure yet Obviously on aubiose Not hatched before so so so excited. Hoping at least 2 out of the 5 hatch The males are either going to be roast dinner or they might go to a small holding nearby who already has a few cockerels running loose with one hen (fox got the other hens) I probably won't know until about 20 weeks as these are pure breeds so hopefully won't crow until then Then again they might all be girls in my dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I left the bars in put filled it up with hemcore and within a few days of our chick hatching he was fine on the bars anyway! Best of luck and fingers crossed for girls for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
