Sooo much pooping

[SallyD]

Hi. I've currently got a broody hen hatching some eggs in an eglu. She's on her own in it and everything seems ok so far but i was wondering if i should close the eglu door, or at least partially close it, to give her more privacy and keep it warmer for her. I've been lifting her off the nest every morning to let her eat/drink and have some exercise.

Thanks

Sally

[Daphne]

I leave the door open during the day so the hen can get off if she wants, and close it at night for safety.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Ditto what Daphne has said..........you'll need to make the eglu more chick friendly nearer the hatching time as they won't be able to get in & out of the nestbox until they are a few days old.

 

I just remove all roosting bars & fill the pootray with aubiose or hemcore to the level of the nestbox & also tuck a piece of plastic lawn edging around the edge to reduce draughts for the little munchkins. I put a small bowl of water with marbles in, and a small bowl of chick crumb in the poo tray for the little ones and mum as well. This year I've put the bowls on a piece of slate to avoid quite so much wastage...they are mucky little monsters

 

I've also lined the inside edge of the eglu run with the same plastic lawn edging so the littlies don't stick their nosy little heads out through the bars & either get them stuck or pecked at by nearby big girls ..just punch holes everyso often in the top edge & attach with the wires you get with sandwich bags...easipeasy!!

 

You may need to put a thin brick or tile outside the door so the babies can get in & out easily..after a few days they can bounce quite high in my experience, but certainly to begin with they need a little help!

 

My broodies all appreciated a little snack of soaked corn in the nest during the day...by soaking the corn for a few (6-24) hours it absorbs the water & the chook benefits from food and fluid in one simple application

 

Good luck

 

Sha x