It's warmed up here in my part of the country and I have two broody hens. I don't have a rooster, but I'm going to acquire some fertile eggs tonight. We've never tried to hatch eggs before, so I have a lot of questions.
Right now, the two hens are set up in my only two nest boxes. When I get the eggs should I move the broodies to another location or set up another set of nest boxes for the other hens? If babies hatch, should I set up a maternity ward for mom and the babies? What's a good number of eggs for a hen to set? Will mom start keeping the babies right away? Are there things I should look out for?
Of course, this is all IF the eggs hatch.
Thanks ya'll!
Right now, the two hens are set up in my only two nest boxes. When I get the eggs should I move the broodies to another location or set up another set of nest boxes for the other hens? If babies hatch, should I set up a maternity ward for mom and the babies? What's a good number of eggs for a hen to set? Will mom start keeping the babies right away? Are there things I should look out for?
Of course, this is all IF the eggs hatch.
