CHICKTER Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 hi there we are new to this hatching eggs and think it is brilliant we have got 6 hens not sure what breed 1 yellow cock 1 coloured cock again not sure the breed ex bat hens 1 blue bell/and 1 cuckoo maran . chickens are great howver i have a broody now she is sitting on 4 eggs she did have 5 but she sqaushed 1 she is at day 14 just now i have seperated her to her own private house and run as the others were climbing all over her to lay in the same place well my question is this i know that it takes about 21 or so days from start to fin but what do i do when they are or if they hatch {heres hoping cant wait hehe}she is sitting on hay and straw just now but will i have to change it for somethink else like a tray with papers or sawdust somebody told me you can use sand but im not sure surely they would eat the sand and heaven forbid it die what would be the best idea .... many thanks in advance ..... ps i think this site is quite good hip hip horray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 I wouldn't try to change what she's sitting on while she's sitting and she won't appreciate you re arranging the furniture when she's hatching either . I'd leave her as she is, as long as she's on a flattish surface so any chicks can move around, you don't want her in a nestbox that they could get out of then not be able to get back in with mum. When the chicks start hatching, put a small dish of chick crumb next to mum and you'll need a very shallow container of water for the chicks as well. You can put marbles in deeper containers to stop the chicks from drowning - but mine just flicked them all out. While Muppet was sat on the nest, I offered her a small handful of mixed corn and sweetcorn 3 times a day. The mixed corn kept her from losing too much weight and the sweetcorn kept her fluid levels up. I've only done this once, so hopefully someone more experienced will add anything I've missed. PS Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHICKTER Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share Posted May 30, 2010 many thanks ill give it a try we cant wait will keep everyone posted as to how we get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Welcome to the forum I'd leave her on straw too, not heard of using sand under a broody. Good luck with the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
