crouchendchucks Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 we are thinking of getting fertilized eggs off the internet and hatching with a broody hen. should we separate our hens? (they really love each other) how do we raise chicks? any requirements? if we do separate our hens,what do we keep the non broody hen in? any advice would be really appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 you will really want to sort all this out before you set the eggs as well as deciding what to do with the boys. you do have to separate out the broody, as she'll hog the nest box and no matter how friendly they are now that might change while brooding and after hatching. The other chook might kill the chicks or the mum herself might get disturbed and damage the chicks. It's really too early in the season for raising chicks by a broody outdoors. Ideally you want them protected indoors in a shed or garage as the mum just won't be able to keep the chicks warm when they are roaming around.... I'm not sure but you may even need a heat source as well as being indoors: someone else will advise you on this. The ideal place for a broody hen and chooks is a much coverered run or solid sided nest box and run indoors until outdoors warms up enough in the spring and the chicks are hardy. In the meantime, will your other chook be on her own? that could be quite distressing for her! there's lots of advice here and on other forums, read up on that to give you some more advice on how to proceed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 actually, just realised from your signature that you have a few chooks, so the non-broody won't be on her own. Has one of your chooks definitely gone broody? Sometimes they go off being broody after a few days.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Please read the 'stickies' (on the Hatching and Raising Chicks' section) - there's lots of useful information on there. We have read some sad tales from people who embarked on hatching without checking out all the issues, so it's best to be prepared - in particular to have a plan for any boys that you hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 If you need any help or advice - you can always PM me. It can all seem a bit daunting & when I began I felt as if I was being looked down on by another forum. Everyone one has to start somewhere, so I'll be glad to help & advise. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
