This is my first year with chickens so I have never had a broody hen hatch chickens before. I have several hens that have already displayed broodiness, even in this winter weather, so I have confidence that one of them would be a good mom candidate.
Having said that, are there any tips/tricks I should know about? Looking for all the advice I can get.
Any books/articles etc that talk about hens hatching eggs? I've seen tons of incubator information but that's not what I'm looking for.
Can I put 6 eggs from someone else (eg: your faverolles eggs) plus 6 eggs from my girls (I have a rooster)? If yes, what's the best way to do so?
I have 4 nesting boxes but also just built a seperate pen area inside the coop that I can use as a maternity ward/nursery. How do I go about getting the hen and eggs in there for her to sit on them in there? Trying to figure out logistics.
How soon in advance do orders need to be placed?
Cost?
How often do you ship? I'm probably looking for an arrival at the beginning of April or so.
hhmmmm.... I think that's about all I can think about for now.