Our first experience with broody hens, and we've got a live chick today! woohoo!
I've pretty much left the whole process alone - figuring her instinct would do better without my neurotic newbie interference. She was sitting on two eggs, and I hadn't checked under her for a week and a half...
We have three first-time broodies (and we're first-timers, too). Based on suggestions we read here, we moved two of them (Speckled Sussex) two nights ago, and then the third (Buff Orpington) last night into a spare stall in the barn. As of this morning, all seemed to go well. They'd been...
We are fairly new to chickens (got day-olds last March). I don't know why, but I didn't consider broodiness. I think I've got a couple girls who are going broody, and have read we should have a separate coop for them. It's been close to two weeks that they've been hanging out in the nesting...
Can 5-week-old chicks still smother each other by sleeping too close together? My cardboard box brooder got soaking wet (thanks to a tipped over waterer) and I've had to make an emergency replacement brooder that is not as large. THey are all crowded together - but do have the option to walk...
I so appreciate all the great advice found within this forum!
My question is the brooder height requirement for my 3-week-old chicks. I can find info about the required floor space, but what about height? They are trying to fly, and I'd like to add a roost, but I'm concerned they'll get hurt...
We're enjoying our adorable new additions (16 chicks - one week old). I'm amazed at how quickly they grow and change! They are starting to get their wing feathers, and are trying to fly everywhere! (so cute!)
My question: should I assume that they know what they can and can't do as far as...