I only use bio-baters and I have found the less I interfere the higher the hatch rate. I use a dog kennel (the small type that one would use in the house to keep the dog at night) It is a medium size for this style. I did put a shelf in it that is big enough to hold the water fountain. Otherwise the fountain ends up with litter in it everyday. I keep the broody hens separated from the flock and in a lower light area. Keeping her separate prevents other girls from making a deposit. It also removes any need to peak at the eggs while in the nest. I use the kennel so I can keep the hen on the nest. I have had broody hens change their mind after a few days without the cage. I do have to clean out any poop as it comes along. There is room for her to get off the nest to void, but broody poo is nasty and BIG. Mine do not poop every day and usually go several days without pooping. I can tell you that within hours of the chicks hatching, there will be the nastiest chicken poop you will ever encounter.
The normal incubation period is 21 days, but I had a clutch go for 26 days this summer and it was a 100% hatch. The article that ddawn posted a link to is an excellent article. The guy has several good articles.
I keep the chicks in that brooder box for a week. I do not use any heat source but I do put rocks in the fountain to prevent drowning, but only for the first week. In the second week, I move mother & babies to a brooder coop where they have their own run. They are in that run with the gate closed into week three. No absolute number on this one. The mother lets me know when they need to expand their range. Once I open the gate, the rest is up to the mother. She will eventually introduce the chicks to the rest of the flock. There is rarely any introduction crisis. The mother will protect them. My broody hens become very aggressive with kids in tow.
It is a VERY low maintenance technique. I have never had a problem with poopy butt or any other chick ailment with this method. The key is the broody/mother hen.
Good luck 7 enjoy.
The normal incubation period is 21 days, but I had a clutch go for 26 days this summer and it was a 100% hatch. The article that ddawn posted a link to is an excellent article. The guy has several good articles.
I keep the chicks in that brooder box for a week. I do not use any heat source but I do put rocks in the fountain to prevent drowning, but only for the first week. In the second week, I move mother & babies to a brooder coop where they have their own run. They are in that run with the gate closed into week three. No absolute number on this one. The mother lets me know when they need to expand their range. Once I open the gate, the rest is up to the mother. She will eventually introduce the chicks to the rest of the flock. There is rarely any introduction crisis. The mother will protect them. My broody hens become very aggressive with kids in tow.
It is a VERY low maintenance technique. I have never had a problem with poopy butt or any other chick ailment with this method. The key is the broody/mother hen.
Good luck 7 enjoy.