Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[twaceywoo]

hi all i need some advice please, i have 3 sultan hens and 1 sultan cock, 2 of my hens are sitting on eggs 1 has 11eggs,the other 3eggs. one is outside the run but comes back to feed and the other is in the nesting box. when they hatch do i have to do anything with them or will they just be ok with "mum" or do i have to separate them from the other birds? thanks in advance for any advice.

[Olly]

Welcome to the forum. There is some advice in the FAQs in this section about hatching, although it mostly relates to using an incubator. I am no expert on hatching but you should separate the two broodies from each other, and they should definitely be separated from the other hens otherwise the chicks will be at risk.

 

I expect a more experienced forum member will be able to add to this advice, but take a look at the FAQs because they will tell you what you need to know about feeders and drinkers etc. and dealing with newly-hatched chicks.

[twaceywoo]

thankyou,i am new to chickens this is my 1st lot of birds,ive been told that sultans were not the best choice for me to have but i think theyre great and good layers too.

[Mollie333]

'' i have 3 sultan hens and 1 sultan cock, 2 of my hens are sitting on eggs 1 has 11eggs,the other 3eggs.''

 

I'd separate the hens from the cockerel... Because he may attack or kill the chicks. Is the one with 3 eggs still laying? They normally lay a clutch of eggs before incubating, but sometimes not the case. I would give them 7 eggs each to equal it out.

 

''one is outside the run but comes back to feed and the other is in the nesting box. when they hatch do i have to do anything with them or will they just be ok with "mum" or do i have to separate them from the other birds?''

They need to be in a secure area away from any foxes. A Old rabbit hutch, or separate coop. You need to pick up the broodies and make sure they eat, drink and poop, and occasionally dust bathe. I do this once or twice a day until day 18, then make sure they have food and water (not deep enough for chicks to drown in though!) When they have hatched the Hen will take care of her chicks, you don't need to do anything.

 

You will need Chickcrumbs, Suitible drinker (i use jam jar lids with marbles in them, to prevent them from drowning), a dish for the chickcrumb, and that's it.

 

Let us know if you need to know anything else.

[twaceywoo]

The 1 (bella) thats outside the run is under the hedge which has wire around it and weve secured it as fox/cat proof but i dont want to move the nest when she comes out to eat/drink incase she doesnt want to sit on them once theyve been disturbed,i was going to wait until theyve hatched then move it all including her.

The 1(winnie) has 2 more eggs so now has 5 but shes in the nesting box,comes in and out regulary to eat/drink ect, again when hers start to hatch ill move her into a separate pen with chicks.

when theyve all hatched what is the right age to put back into the main run? and how do i tell which are boys from girls as i can only have the 1 cockeral in the pen (the dad,herman) and will the other boys have to each be separate?

sorry for all the questions just a bit unsure of what i need to do

[Mollie333]

The 1 (bella) thats outside the run is under the hedge which has wire around it and weve secured it as fox/cat proof but i dont want to move the nest when she comes out to eat/drink incase she doesnt want to sit on them once theyve been disturbed,i was going to wait until theyve hatched then move it all including her. I'd move her into a more secure area, if you move her at night she should just settle back down.

 

The 1(winnie) has 2 more eggs so now has 5 but shes in the nesting box,comes in and out regulary to eat/drink ect, again when hers start to hatch ill move her into a separate pen with chicks. Again it's better for them to be separated, the cockerel will most likely attack or try and mate with the broody, which will stress her.

 

when theyve all hatched what is the right age to put back into the main run? and how do i tell which are boys from girls as i can only have the 1 cockeral in the pen (the dad,herman) and will the other boys have to each be separate? You need to be extra careful with introducing young chicks to cockerels and other broodies, I'd say 10 weeks at the absolute minimum.. If they're pullets (young girls) then he will mate with them. I wouldn't introduce any boys either as the cockerel will probably try to kill them!

 

Basically you need to separate both the hens, the hedge makeshift run wont be fox proof, your best bet is to put her in a cheap rabbit hutch ect.

 

Please, please be resposible and get homes for potential cockerels. Not many people can keep cockerels, or have enough hens for them. Don't keep a cockerel and a hen out of this lot you're hatching, they will be related. Be a resposible breeder and make sure you can a) cull them, learn how to do it humanly, b) rehome them, c) keep them (this would mean getting more hens, not good for backyards)...

[twaceywoo]

yes id already thought of that,i thought if i swapped all my cockerals for hens then there wouldnt be a problem with inter breeding. a friend of mine has her different breeds in enclosed cages(like dog runs) and has a cockeral i could "borrow" when i want to in the future.i have a huge garden plus a field so i have lots of room for my chooks, although theyre in a pen its about 40ft long so basically free-range!

thanks for all the help.

[Mollie333]

Brilliant. Good luck with the hatch, keep us updated.