Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[jeshen]

My broody pekin bantam, Golda, is sitting on 4 fertile eggs which are due to hatch in 2 weeks' time. At the moment I have separated her from the other 3 bantams who live in an eglu-with-run but free-range all day. Golda is in a small broody coop, which is slightly raised above the ground. Should I buy a rabbit hutch to put her and the chicks into when they hatch? Or can I leave her to wander around outside with the chicks? Will they be warm enough?! Or I could buy some sort of run that I can put the broody coop in... How long should I leave Golda and the chicks in the broody coop before moving them to larger quarters? We only have a small garden and it would be nice not to have to buy a rabbit hutch unless it's absolutely necessary! Sorry to have so many questions - feel like a nervous first-time mum!!

[Isabel]

Having lost a chick to what I presume was a magpie yesterday, I wouldn't let young chicks free range. Mine were in a covered run but I had the door open at one end (had it divided in two) to allow the other hens access to the hen-house. Sorry, but I think you definitely need something covered until the chicks are bigger.

[sjp]

they will need their own quarters until they are about at least 16 -18 weeks old ie POL as they will need chick crumb for about 6-8 weeks then growers pelletts or mash until 16 -18 weeks or untill they start to lay so depending on how big the broody coop is you might just need to buy or make a run for it

mom will keep them warm for the first couple of weeks they will spend more time under her as out exploring as for moving that really depends on how quickly the out grow the broody coop I normally have to move mine after about 2 weeks but my broodies are big girls that hate been in the broody run mine do get to FR but only when I'm home but after Isabel's post the other the day I'm going to have think long and hard about that now as we have a very large magpie on crow population around here at the moment

[jeshen]

Thanks - very helpful. We'll either sort out a run or I'll get a large rabbit cage for a bit. I'm sorry to hear you lost a chick to a magpie - must have been very upsetting indeed. I certainly won't let the chicks free-range until they're adult-sized. Must get sorted soon as they're due in 10 days.