Wanted Please - Harrogate / York / Leeds area

[bennett]

We decided that after our broody has been stubborn and decided not to give up that we would hatch our own chicks , The eggs have arrived this morning via the postman. Do i let them stand for 24 hrs before i put them under her? ? I am rather excited about the whole thing but dont want to rush it and get it all wrong.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Yes, let the eggs rest for 24 hours, turning them 3 or 5 times during that period then tuck them under your broody ready for her to do the hard work

 

Count the day you set them (tucked them under) as day 0, then 21 days on from that, in theory, you should have a batch of fluffy little chickies

 

Don't forget to remove her for a comfort break every day if she doesn't take herself off........my girls all had snacks in their nests too during the day to keep their food intake up.......spoiled, not at all

 

Soaked corn will give them food and a certain amount of fluid included...just soak some mixed corn or wheat in water for 6-24 hours & feed it to the mama during her confinement, most people find their chooks wolf it down! Leave it longer than that & you are into shooted wheat which is a whole new ball game

 

Good luck

 

Sha x

[bennett]

Thank you I shall start soaking some corn now especially as the weather is now warming up ,need to make sure she has enough water in her. She has been sat on some plastic eggs for a week now awaiting the arrival on the real ones, i only put 3 under her, but she has laid another 3 herself, is this because she wants a decent size clutch??? I have 6 eggs to put under tommorrow but maybe i should put a couple more????? Not sure i can wait 21 days! its all too exciting, knowing my luck they will all be boys!

[Redwing]

If being set on their side (as they would be under a broody) they dont need to settle

 

i would set them after dark tonight, the broody will make less fuss and there is less chance she will abandon the eggs if you place them at night