Broody hen, tips for chick preparation?!

[PalomaNova]

Hi you all,
I hope I can get some novice help here. Had chickens for a year now...
So one of my hens went broody a few days ago and we kind of let it continue. She started Sunday (3 days ago) and only now I started to do some research about it all. My first mistake I guess that I let her sit on eggs from 3 different days, which means haching dates are not the same by one day (total 8 eggs).

1. Will all of them be able to hatch?
2. I move the broody once a day to collect extra eggs because I can't catch when she goes off for relief - is moving her OK? Are there any particular ways to do that to prevent any misfortunes?
3. I intend not to separate the broody from the others (total 6 including the roo). Worst case if it's a no no I could put her in a large dog kennel covered with mdf boards to create a shelter but I'm worried that by doing so I would expose her to fox risks during the night plus flock separation... Please give input on this...
3. Next novice question - I have a small housing (picture attached) and now looking into expansion but having something big quickly may not be so evident so worst case I will purchase a second one of the same kind I have. Will the chicks be able to come down it? I assume not so I'm trying to think of solutions in case I would need to go with this option.
4. My chickens are completely free ranging at all times over a big area. Will I need to confine the mama with the chicks or will they figure it out? We have cats in the neighbourhood as well as our cat - is that an issue to the chicks? I would assume mama would protect them?!

Many thanks for your input!

 

[nchls school]

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1. Will all of them be able to hatch? When I have a hen that has a staggered hatch, I take the chicks and put them under a heat lamp. When all the chicks have hatched I return the first ones to the hen.
2. I move the broody once a day to collect extra eggs because I can't catch when she goes off for relief - is moving her OK? Yes.Are there any particular ways to do that to prevent any misfortunes?If she is a calm hen, slide your hand, palm up, under her breast and lift her off. Let her go back on the nest on her own.
3. I intend not to separate the broody from the others (total 6 including the roo). Worst case if it's a no no I could put her in a large dog kennel covered with mdf boards to create a shelter but I'm worried that by doing so I would expose her to fox risks during the night plus flock separation... Please give input on this...Just be sure to collect new, fresh eggs.
3. Next novice question - I have a small housing (picture attached) and now looking into expansion but having something big quickly may not be so evident so worst case I will purchase a second one of the same kind I have. Will the chicks be able to come down it?No. Not until they're a bit older. I assume not so I'm trying to think of solutions in case I would need to go with this option. I use a dog/cat carrier that can be closed at night. If you go with this idea put the hen and chicks in the carrier, door open, as soon as they are all hatched. When she brings them out she will, most likely, return there for the night-a simple matter for you to close the door each night until the chicks are big enough to use the ramp.
4. My chickens are completely free ranging at all times over a big area. Will I need to confine the mama with the chicksNo. or will they figure it out? We have cats in the neighbourhood as well as our cat - is that an issue to the chicks? I would assume mama would protect them?!She will protect them but if any stray the cat might get them. Cat are crafty and sneaky.

Many thanks for your input!

 

[PalomaNova]

Thank you for your input!
Can I ask some additional information based on your answers (see below please):

.
1. Will all of them be able to hatch? When I have a hen that has a staggered hatch, I take the chicks and put them under a heat lamp. When all the chicks have hatched I return the first ones to the hen.
If that is not an option (no heat lamp), what scenarIo am I likely looking at? Are there any alternatives to create a heat lamp? Would I need to take them immediately after haching? (the haching time differs by approx 24 h)
3. Next novice question - I have a small housing (picture attached) and now looking into expansion but having something big quickly may not be so evident so worst case I will purchase a second one of the same kind I have. Will the chicks be able to come down it?No. Not until they're a bit older. I assume not so I'm trying to think of solutions in case I would need to go with this option. I use a dog/cat carrier that can be closed at night. If you go with this idea put the hen and chicks in the carrier, door open, as soon as they are all hatched. When she brings them out she will, most likely, return there for the night-a simple matter for you to close the door each night until the chicks are big enough to use the ramp.
You say most likely - is it better to let her hatch the chicks in the carrier to make sure she returns there and not to the coop ? How big approximately until they could use the ramp?

Do I need to switch the whole coop to a starter feed?

Thanks again!

 

[nchls school]

You don't need a heat lamp; any fixture (even a lamp turned on its side) that holds a small wattage (20 watt) bulb will work just fine for a few chicks. To keep a few chicks in a holding pen for a while all you need is--a plastic tub or cardboard box-a small dish to hold feed (for just a day or so, feeding layer mash is fine)-and a small shallow dish for water or a chick waterer if you have one. You'd take the chicks after they dry off.

Do not move the hen and eggs-that would/could be disasterous if the hen rejects the move and most likely she would reject the eggs after being moved. The hen will not reject chicks during/after a move. It would be safer if you can make an area within the coop, or near, to put the hen and chicks where the rest of the flock can't interfere. Then you would not change the flock's feed. The chicks could handle the ramp between one and two weeks of age; you'll need to help them at first until they learn how on their own.

 

[nchls school]

By "most likely" I mean there is always exceptions. Most hens would return to the carrier with their chicks, but, like some people, some are just too stupid to do the obvious. Sorry, it has been a long day dealing with...stupid...people.

 

[PalomaNova]

You don't need a heat lamp; any fixture (even a lamp turned on its side) that holds a small wattage (20 watt) bulb will work just fine for a few chicks. To keep a few chicks in a holding pen for a while all you need is--a plastic tub or cardboard box-a small dish to hold feed (for just a day or so, feeding layer mash is fine)-and a small shallow dish for water or a chick waterer if you have one. You'd take the chicks after they dry off.


Do not move the hen and eggs-that would/could be disasterous if the hen rejects the move and most likely she would reject the eggs after being moved. The hen will not reject chicks during/after a move. It would be safer if you can make an area within the coop, or near, to put the hen and chicks where the rest of the flock can't interfere. Then you would not change the flock's feed. The chicks could handle the ramp between one and two weeks of age; you'll need to help them at first until they learn how on their own.

Thanks for enormous help! The hatching day is very close (26-27th) so I'm making sure all is organised well. It has been a rollercoaster due to some unforeseen circumstances, so fingers x that all will hatch (didn't candle at any point).

Can I use some sisal fibers or other cloth to keep the chicks warm in the box? Or only some shavings must be there present?
What should be the temperature? I read conflicting information that says 33-35 celcius, correct?

I read in some other threads that mother may have difficulty accepting the chicks after reintroduction them back. How can this be avoided apart from reintroduction at night?

Thanks again and hope these are not obvious questions

 

[nchls school]

Can I use some sisal fibers or other cloth to keep the chicks warm in the box? Or only some shavings must be there present?
What should be the temperature? I read conflicting information that says 33-35 celcius, correct?
I am not familiar with sisal fibers and toes get stuck in cloth; wood shavings is best but if you don't have any straw, pine needles, dries grasses; even lawn clipping from the mower bag will work. Don't worry about temperature. With a low watt bulb that's hanging low enough to feel warm to your hand when placed on the bedding under the lamp/fixture, the chicks will find the place just right for them.
I read in some other threads that mother may have difficulty accepting the chicks after reintroduction them back. How can this be avoided apart from reintroduction at night? Leave the chicks under the hen long enough for her to see them dried off, then take them as necessary. Save the shells the chicks hatched from and when the chicks are returned, put the shells in the nest with them. When I see a hen reject a chick it is usually because it is very different from the other chicks.

Thanks again and hope these are not obvious questions
You're welcome.

 

[PalomaNova]

The hen seems to have abandoned th nest or so I think.
Yesterday was a lot out and about and today (day 20-18 depending on egg) has been out since the morning and not back yet. I start to worry that I need to take over!?
I already lost eggs and I have 5 out of 8 left...
I managed to do candling a few days ago and they seem to be fine apart from one I'm not sure of (I think I might have accidentally mixed an egg too late in the process, so it's only halfway through)

What do I do?

 

[nchls school]

If the hen has been off the nest for more than an hour, put the eggs in an incubator or to another broody hen. It may already be too late. Wait 24 hours and candle them. If the eggs have died it will show when candled.

 

[PalomaNova]

If the hen has been off the nest for more than an hour, put the eggs in an incubator or to another broody hen. It may already be too late. Wait 24 hours and candle them. If the eggs have died it will show when candled.

What do I look for when candling?

So I've set up an oven bulb in the oven at around 100 f (35c to be exact since I'm in Europe) with moist towels and warm steamy water in the pot. Is this about right?
Fingers x this works since I have no other broody and no incubator...