Advice needed

GSPx2

Songster
9 Years
Aug 4, 2013
109
25
151
New Jersey
So i just had a broody hatch out 6 chicks with one egg remaining, and another broody sitting on 3. All eggs were all placed at the same time. The 3 under my one hen aren't showing any signs of hatching. I have never candled them, so i don't know if there was ever development. I will over the weekend if needed.

Since they decided to lay in a not very ideal spot, i moved the hen and her chicks. But when i moved mom, the other broody hen left her nest and tried to go sit on the chicks. Right now i have the hen and chicks in a smaller coop by themselves so they can adjust to their new lives. I do want to allow the hen and chicks mingle with the other hens, but i'm nervous about it.

Another thing i saw that really concerned me, when i moved the hen and chicks, she was pecking them a few times then stopped. Is that normal?

1. When should i allow introduction?
2. What should i watch for during introduction?
3. Will the other broody try to take over the chicks?

Thank you for any help. I've had chickens for several years and even raised store bought chicks, but never have i started from fertile eggs. This is pretty neat to be able to see it happen as natural as it can be.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom