Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[fostec1]

Our Pekin bantam has been sitting on her eggs for about ten days (whilst I have been on holiday!) Returned to panic! Can anyone please advise as to what I need to do - I have two other hens and a cock who are in with my broody at the moment in the eglu. Should I risk moving her and at what stage can she (and possibly chicks) be returned to the eglu with the others? Any help much appreciated!

[Redwing]

Ok..

 

Firstly ask yourself if you even want chicks, can you cope with any boys that should hatch?

 

You will need separate accomodation for the broody while she sits on her eggs, for her and her family for the first week (a rabbit hutch will do for this) and then for five further weeks and for the chicks to grow older in after the broody has gone back to the others

 

When her brooding accomodation is ready move her and the eggs after dark

 

Lots to think about

[fostec1]

Thanks for the advice. I have secured homes for all the chicks (even if they are boys rather than girls) Although this definitely wasn't a planned pregnancy as such we've decided to let our broody have one family. I have secured a rabbit hutch and run for when the chicks arrive but I am concerned about moving mum. Some people have told me to wait until she has them to move her - would you advise to move her now? Thanks again.

[Redwing]

You are best to move her now, the others will get agressive towards the chicks when they hatch

 

If she has been sitting a while she is obviously quite determined so should be ok. Move her and the eggs after dark and as quickly as possible. I've done this twice - once in the day and the hen abandoned the eggs and once at night and the hen gave me an angry look and merely settled down on the eggs again so the often recommended advice of moving them at night seems the way to go!

 

Good luck!

[The Dogmother]

I agree, best to move her at night with the minimum of fuss and light. Just do it quickly and quietly.

[atsw]

I agree too. Wait until the sun has gone down. Make sure everything is prepared in the new accommodation. If you have a helper to hand, better still, one picks up and moves the broody hen and the other gathers up the eggs. Move both quickly and quietly. Eggs down first, hen on top. Shut the door and move away. Don't be tempted the go back and have a look, it won't help. Leave the hen to it for the night, and check back early next morning. If she's still sitting you've nothing more to worry about, she'll stay the course (18-20 days for a bantam).

 

Andrew