I have a broody hen!
I know a lot of people wouldn't celebrate this but I told myself that the only way I would get new chicks this year was if one of my hens went broody, I'd buy her some eggs to hatch. I figured it was unlikely but one of my BSL's (about 10 months old) has been sitting in the next box for two days straight. I don't have any roosters so she can't hatch the eggs she is currently sitting on.
Here are my questions:
1. How long can/should I wait to make sure she's "actually broody" before buying eggs?
2. Can I move her to a wire dog crate on the floor of the coop now, so she's not taking up nest box space and when the chicks hatch the whole "family" is already in the brooder?
3. What is your preferred nesting material? I've read that on bare soil is best, but that's not really an option and I assume a tray full of dirt doesn't really accomplish the same thing. I have pine shavings on the floor of my coop currently and I can easily get access to straw.
I thiiiiink that's it for now. Oh, also, how can I get the (not fertile) eggs out from under her without losing my fingers?
I know a lot of people wouldn't celebrate this but I told myself that the only way I would get new chicks this year was if one of my hens went broody, I'd buy her some eggs to hatch. I figured it was unlikely but one of my BSL's (about 10 months old) has been sitting in the next box for two days straight. I don't have any roosters so she can't hatch the eggs she is currently sitting on.
Here are my questions:
1. How long can/should I wait to make sure she's "actually broody" before buying eggs?
2. Can I move her to a wire dog crate on the floor of the coop now, so she's not taking up nest box space and when the chicks hatch the whole "family" is already in the brooder?
3. What is your preferred nesting material? I've read that on bare soil is best, but that's not really an option and I assume a tray full of dirt doesn't really accomplish the same thing. I have pine shavings on the floor of my coop currently and I can easily get access to straw.
I thiiiiink that's it for now. Oh, also, how can I get the (not fertile) eggs out from under her without losing my fingers?