Unsecure chicken perches

[Cheryl]

Hello, I have been using an incubator to hatch my eggs now I have them under my broody hen they are her eggs and I was wondering what now! .. do I just leave her to it?.. she is currently sharing the pen with her boyfriend and another hen, or do I have to remove when hatched?. or segregate?..

Any advice asap would be most welcomed. they are due to hatch in the next 5 days or so..

Edited September 17, 2010 by Guest

[Snowy]

You will find most of your questionsd answered in the topics at the top of this page - the hatching guide, and information on hatching. Have a read through those first.

[Redwing]

She should have been separated when you set the eggs

 

Try moving her asap but at night - she will be less likely to be upset by a move at night

 

If you leave her with the others there will be problems as the eggs start to hatch

[Cheryl]

hmm ok..urgh I hope I can sort this out,, so I need another housing can I use a rabbit hutch? and segregate her off from the other two?

[Egluntyne]

A rabbit hutch will do for now. Once the chicks hatch, they will need the safety of a run too. At least you have a few days to source one.

[Redwing]

Yes a rabbit hutch is fine, if the hen is a bantam and there are 3 chicks or less a 4ft rabbit hutch will do for a few weeks but even if not they dont go very far from the nest for about a week so as Egluntyne says you have a bit of grace

[Cheryl]

Well, I am getting this delivered on Monday... what a bargain!.. wasnt worth making one for this price....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350374347118

[craftyhunnypie]

That's a great price! I have looked at some of the other houses from them. I'll be needing some temporary housing when we move - as won't manage to take all the eglus, cube & sheds straight away. Are these houses flat pack?

 

Emma.x

[Cheryl]

Yes I think so but don't let that put you off. Mine is coming tomorrow I will let you know what it's like...

[craftyhunnypie]

I'd prefer them to be flat pack anyway - as I could fit a load in a trailer when I move. They could then become my broody coops / breeding pens - once I manage to transport all the Omlet gear.

 

Good luck with your hatch!

Emma.x

[Cheryl]

oooh emma im so excited

nervous aswell it a first for me, i usually use an incubator.. i cant imagine how it all works out, how do the chicks feed themselves etc etc.. they now have a separate area from the others with their mummy, so it should be ok... fingers crossed

[Griffin]

I've been using these as broody coops: http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_hutches/natura/33223 I can cobble together a run but building a coop is beyond me so these were perfect. I wouldn't put a LF hen in there but for bantams they're perfect. They arrive flat packed and are easy to put together. They're sturdy too.

[Cheryl]

hey, Funnily enough I looked at these myself and almost bought one, but when I saw the one I bought on ebay for 49 pounds including the delivery I thought well, it will do me for about 4 birds, so I decided it would be a better investment, but yeah, those do look great. I'm in today waiting for it to arrive I have charged up my electric drill and i'm ready for action........

[Cheryl]

Well I Put the house together on Monday afternoon just in time because the eggs started hatching this evening.. I've left her to it but can't wait till the morning to see if there are chicks.. The coop was a bit flimsy but I reinforced it with a few extra batons and screws and it's pretty good

[Cheryl]

Hello everyone, well It's sorted and great!..look

I divided my walk in run with door for access.

This is my ebay house for her and her 6 chicks, I have put a thick blanket to keep it a bit warmer.

If you look closely you can see her sitting there rather happy, and the entrance is almost flat so they cant get stuck out.

Well what do you all think, I'm quite pleased with myself, but my poor back is killing me!.. time for tea and cake

[craftyhunnypie]

Love it & your run looks fab too! Is the house pink?

Well done!

 

Emma.x

[Cheryl]

Thanks Emma . I feel quite happy about my set up, I have locked them in for the night . The house is a pale pink but I think it's a primer, so perhaps a coat of real pink paint would be great ..