2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Minkey]

Sorry if I am asking the obvious, I have searched the site, but can't see any info on how to care for chicks raised from a broody? I understand about separating her and putting the eggs under etc, but I wanted info on what food to give and when for any chicks that she has. The broody will have her own little rabbit hutch type house and run, what else do I need to know/do?

 

I am presuming I would be best to have her indoors if I put eggs under her now? If I did that when could I put her outside again?

 

Thanks

[chicken bark]

I've not raised chicks yet but I'm hoping to have a broody hen soon.

 

As I understand it a broody hen could be outside now but I'd probably have her in a shed/garage then move them all outside in March.

 

From what I have read you can feed Mum chick crumb so when the chicks hatch they can all eat the same thing.

 

Exciting isn't it. Good luck with it.

[Lewis]

While she is broody you can give her layers pellets and mixed corn. Take her off the eggs for 10/20 mins each day so she does a (massive) broody poo and has something to eat and drink.

I had 2 broodies last year and used to soak them some mixed corn in a bowl of water, leave it for a couple of hours and feed her that. They'll normally eat it quite well and being soaked should get some more water into her too

 

When the chicks have hatched they can have chick crumb and so can she. I carried on giving her soaked corn but she would try and give some to the chicks too when they were a few days old

May also be an idea to give her a supplement such as Lifeguard in her water if she's needing a boost.

 

I'd keep her on the hutch with the chicks for the few days, and then let them out into the run after that ... they don't tend to go far in the first few days anyway.

 

I'd put her in a warmer shed/garage at the moment, or wait a few more weeks and they'll be ok outside

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

My Silkie is broody at the mo they're not spose to be good mothers due smothering. I do have lots of eggs in the inncy, but don't really want to do that

[mostin]

I always feed my broodies on chick crumb and corn before they hatch, then just chick crumb, same as the babies after the hatch as they thrive on the extra protein. The first treats I give the babies and that the mothers can have too are dried meal worms. Again, very high in protein and fat, so good to help mum regain strength and for growing babies.

 

Also really helpful for taming the babies , they looove the mealworms, cost me a fortune last spring .

 

My broodies always spend their first 4 weeks in a shed with their babies, and then I move them out onto the the grass in a rablu.

 

I hatched eggs for the 1st time last year using a broody, and ended up doing 3 hatches. They just look after themselves to a certain degree once the eggs are hatched, they have all the instincts bless them.

[Minkey]

Thanks for all your replies, that is great info x

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

Thanks for starting this thread, I'm now using Cilla to hatch some fertile eggs a friend gave me this morning..

[mostin]

Good luck with Cilla , I love watching the chicks getting piggy back rides from mum after a few days .

[Griffin]

My Silkie is my best broody. She's the best at sitting and not breaking the eggs and is the best mother too. The Brahmas are clumsy but mean well They're not the most attentive mothers but between them they do a good job.

[Minkey]

My two buff pekins were constantly broody last year, so thought I would give it a go when they started again this year. Will it be Eloise or Mabel that goes first?!