Brooder and eggs

[alisonanne]

Tomorrow I'm picking up 6 fertilized eggs for my brooder.
Now I know these are going to be very stupid questions for all you experts.
So here we go....
What do I feed my brooder while she is on the eggs?
Will she leave them to go and get food or will I have to feed her in the nesting box?
What do I feed baby chicks on once hatched?
Will they leave nesting box to get a drink or do I need to provide water there?

Kind regards a person ok with grown hens but new to chicks.

 

[theuglychick]

Congrats and there are no stupid questions!

As long as your broody has access to food and water she will take care of her part by going eat, drink, and dust bath daily or as needed.

When the chicks hatch, they'll all hang out in one spot for a few days until everyone who is going to hatch hatches.

Then mama will take them out into the world. I section off a part of my coop and run for my broody and chicks. Otherwise other hens might *try* to harass the chicks (but mama hen won't have that).

Chicks will need some grower food. Mama hen is happy eating that too.

Best of luck!