LilRedmamma
Songster
I plan to raise 4-5 chicks to butcher this spring at maturity. This will be my 3rd batch (flock), so I'm about to get the brooder set up, buy the babies to raise meaters within a few weeks. Not sure which breed as of today... I'm leaning to CX. I have some Q's for you experts to kindly give your 2 cents.
First, all the prior chicks were housed in the basement, moved outdoors by mid-April. Since then, I built a 2nd coop/run for the second group, are laying at 12 months old. The first batch has been harvested so their coop was torn apart and a new coop built inside my 10X12 shed. It's still experimental but critter-proof, of newer wood and houses 4 hens nicely, but taking some shed real estate I still have a bit of a mess Lol. Of the 2nd flock, the alpha was broody before ever laying, downright screeching at me if I peeked in on her! Now, sometimes, they peck on the smallest hen that's outcast at times. She's kinda quiet and sometimes lays her egg outside the nest. That pecking order is real!
Second, I want the new batch in a brooder in the (cleaned) shed. I'm wondering if she or the alpha could be broody for the new chicks in lieu of a heating pad? And no, I haven't used a lamp since week 1 of the first chicks. Nearly caught the garage on fire! A heating pad works great! Anyway, will a once-broody hen go broody with new chicks? The deal is, she's very dominant and protective of 'her flock' and I'm not sure she'd tolerate baby-duty.I have no clue how to set up for a broody hen...
Missouri temps are teens - 60's now so that'll be warmer outdoors than my basement. I can easily setup the chicks in the shed in a brooder, with the move to their own coop being minimal. Writing this, not growing up with chickens, I'm totally 'winging it' and feeling hesitant to let the hens play mamma. I may not take everyone's advice but I'm interested in y'all's experience. Thx
First, all the prior chicks were housed in the basement, moved outdoors by mid-April. Since then, I built a 2nd coop/run for the second group, are laying at 12 months old. The first batch has been harvested so their coop was torn apart and a new coop built inside my 10X12 shed. It's still experimental but critter-proof, of newer wood and houses 4 hens nicely, but taking some shed real estate I still have a bit of a mess Lol. Of the 2nd flock, the alpha was broody before ever laying, downright screeching at me if I peeked in on her! Now, sometimes, they peck on the smallest hen that's outcast at times. She's kinda quiet and sometimes lays her egg outside the nest. That pecking order is real!
Second, I want the new batch in a brooder in the (cleaned) shed. I'm wondering if she or the alpha could be broody for the new chicks in lieu of a heating pad? And no, I haven't used a lamp since week 1 of the first chicks. Nearly caught the garage on fire! A heating pad works great! Anyway, will a once-broody hen go broody with new chicks? The deal is, she's very dominant and protective of 'her flock' and I'm not sure she'd tolerate baby-duty.I have no clue how to set up for a broody hen...
Missouri temps are teens - 60's now so that'll be warmer outdoors than my basement. I can easily setup the chicks in the shed in a brooder, with the move to their own coop being minimal. Writing this, not growing up with chickens, I'm totally 'winging it' and feeling hesitant to let the hens play mamma. I may not take everyone's advice but I'm interested in y'all's experience. Thx