- Apr 21, 2010
- 14
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I have a hen that was sitting on 3 eggs as of 4/9 (not hers) I have one white EE hen thats laying light green/olive eggs, one every day. I took the greenish eggs and put them under the "broody" hen until there were 9 eggs total.... so the last egg would have been laid 4/15. After I noticed the other chickens pestering her I separated her from the others. I also did this so I could be positive which green eggs were which - they all seem to like to lay their eggs in one nest box.
I've heard that the hens will rearrange the eggs to warm or cool them so that they'll develop at about the same rate - hatch about the same day. So my question is what date should I be looking for chicks? Also, how long should I wait before I chuck any eggs that haven't hatched? I wrote down on the calendar 3 weeks minus 3 days from the 9th, so I've been checking the hen 2-3 times a day since monday. But I'm thinking maybe I should have started my 21 day count after the last egg was laid, which would put the due date -
- out to middle of next week. I'm just dont want to be stressing out thinking something is wrong if I've miscalculated.
What can/should I do to make the hatching environment the best it can be? (about 2'x3' wooden box w/ lid - chickens can't get out, others can't get in) I have a bunch of hay for the nest material, should I put some shavings on the wooden floor for the chicks or more hay? I have a food dish and waterer already, as soon as I see the chicks I'll be switching the food over to chick starter.
How big should I let the chicks get before I introduce them to the rest? 4 other hens and a rooster. The "mama" seems to be the low hen on the totem pole, she is the smallest also. One reason I separated her from the rest was becasue the other hens would run her off from the food and water when she'd get off the nest.
This is also the hens first time, mine too..... she's not quite a year old.
Thanks
I've heard that the hens will rearrange the eggs to warm or cool them so that they'll develop at about the same rate - hatch about the same day. So my question is what date should I be looking for chicks? Also, how long should I wait before I chuck any eggs that haven't hatched? I wrote down on the calendar 3 weeks minus 3 days from the 9th, so I've been checking the hen 2-3 times a day since monday. But I'm thinking maybe I should have started my 21 day count after the last egg was laid, which would put the due date -
What can/should I do to make the hatching environment the best it can be? (about 2'x3' wooden box w/ lid - chickens can't get out, others can't get in) I have a bunch of hay for the nest material, should I put some shavings on the wooden floor for the chicks or more hay? I have a food dish and waterer already, as soon as I see the chicks I'll be switching the food over to chick starter.
How big should I let the chicks get before I introduce them to the rest? 4 other hens and a rooster. The "mama" seems to be the low hen on the totem pole, she is the smallest also. One reason I separated her from the rest was becasue the other hens would run her off from the food and water when she'd get off the nest.
This is also the hens first time, mine too..... she's not quite a year old.
Thanks
