Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[johnandkymberley]

Hi all, i am new to chicks, if i have a broody hen sit on a few eggs, do i put them in a brooder etc? thanks

[Redwing]

No, the broody will take care of them

 

Do have a contingency plan if she rejects them though

 

The broody will need to be separate from any other hens

 

The chicks will need a shallow water container and some chick crumb - the broody will eat the chick crumb until she is separated from the chicks when they are about 6 weeks old

[johnandkymberley]

No, i havent thort if she didnt want them! i have got a home for the boys tho, do i put them in brooder if she rejects them then?

[Egluntyne]

As I said in your other post on this hen, it is getting a little late in the season, to be thinking about hatching, especially if you are a beginner.

 

If she rejects them , and you have the faff of having to rear them in a brooder, the weather will have changed, and getting them off heat and outside will be trickier.

 

Lots of useful info **here**

[johnandkymberley]

Hi, when is a good time then? i have also sorted a place that can take my cocks!!

[Egluntyne]

I'd be inclined to wait till Spring.

 

If you put eggs under her this week, they wont hatch till around the last week in August. If she rejects them, they will then need say 5 to 6 weeks in a brooder. They will then need to be weaned off the heat, and if the weather is poor, this may take a while. This will bring us into October, when the weather is likely to deteriorate further, and the hens will still be very young, and still vulnerable.

 

If she doesn't reject them at the start, she will have had enough if them when they are around six weeks old, and then you will still have very young chicks to deal with just as the bad weather is approaching.

[johnandkymberley]

hi, thanks, i think i am understanding a little more, so after 6 weeks, are the allowed in the garden and if its too cold its obviously not good for them?

[Redwing]

If they are with a broody they can be out from day 1

 

They wont have the benefit of long warm days to grow very well at this stage, if you can keep them in over winter so they can keep warmer and put more energy in to growing thats ok but for the average garden chook keeper this isnt a good time to hatch

 

Chicks need 3 warm months to really grow well so April/May is a good time to hatch

[johnandkymberley]

Hi, okay i think i will wait! well i cant wait now! lol for the minute i think i have spent enough on hens etc, itll be good to have a break! xx

[Redwing]

they are a bit addictive