buns in the oven

[Kerr]

Ok I'm looking for some direction on being a new chick mom....

I recently lost my most favourtite best friend in the whole wide world Leghorn Rooster "Kernel"
I am heart broken but realize nature is nature.
Actually he was goofing around with some of his buds and broke his neck....

soooo....after I finished crying

I collected the eggs from the girls...but....left two silkie eggs for my broody RIR to hatch.

This is day 11 and she's still being a good Hen (as far as grouchy nasty broody girls go)
She bites me - I roll the eggs...

This is where all is new to me....

what the heck do I do now?

Their house is warm and toasty but do I wait till the babes hatch (assuming they do)
then bring them inside mine? without mum? with mum? in an enclosed area with a lid and a heat lamp?
I've read about the water dish /w marbles in it so they dont drown - got the food thing down

just not sure if I'm supposed to bring babies in asap as soon as they are born..or maybe bring mama inside at day 20? Or buy an incubator and grab the eggs around day 20? Its a ways off still but I want to be ready - JUST INCASE

Can someone help?

Kerri

 

[Katy]

If she's setting on them you don't have to turn them....she'll do that job for you. As for taking them away when they hatch....if she's a good mom when they hatch I'd fix a spot for her and the chicks. if she lacks mothering skills you can always take them away from her.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi, If your hen is broody and sitting properly on the eggs, I think I would put all the eggs under her (at night), and when they hatch, leave them with her and supply a heat lamp. You can't beat mother nature.

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

if u put them in a cage like a day after they hatch, u could put the cage in the coop so the rest can get used to them.

 

[Kerr]

Ok thanks guys
I didn't know "martha" would turn the eggs - thats even easier - save me getting pecked.

I would feel better bringing mum and the 2 eggs inside my house - put them in a comfy safe crate with a heat lamp.
My Barred Rock Roo is a character but sort of a spaz - I'd never forgive myself if he went all weird on the chicks

Its winter here - snow all over - its warm in the Hen House but .........

my house is warmer

Kerri

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Hi Kerri,
You are going to have a long winter, You may not want them in the house for months. I just had a hen hatch 5 eggs and I gave her 5 more that hatched in here. I recently made this brooder for the coop to keep her and them seperated from the others. You can't see it but the pen is covered on all sides with clear plastic.


OUT DOOR BROODER
Its hard to see but I stapled on super thick clear plastic to keep the heat in.
If I did not have a hen to help care for these chicks I would
use 2 lights and 2 bulbs that way if one blows they will be OK
because they would still have one heat source.

I used a 60 watt yellow bug light.

I WISH I HAD ANOTHER PEN BECAUSE I HAVE 14 more hatching in 10 days.

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

how do they breath?

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

The plastic is not glued down Just stapeled. Its not totally sealed it has cracks. and I cut a hole in the plastic above the light so it would not melt or over heat.

 

[Pinenot]

That is a really cool brooder!

 

[Kerr]

Flufnstuff

that is awesome!
Thanks so much for the pics and the descrip
I'm going to print the photos and put it on my DH's Honey Do List

Now I'm getting really excited!