First hatching and I won't be home!

[Lyons chickens]

My chicks will hatch in ten days! However, I will be in Mexico at the time. How do I set up my hen for success until my return three days later? I have a neighbor keeping the feed and water up as well as collecting eggs. I've never had eggs hatched before.

 

[trudyg]

Keep the food and water topped up, as your sitter is doing. How long will you be away? If you can, set up a pen to contain her and the chicks until you get back.

 

[Lyons chickens]

Keep the food and water topped up, as your sitter is doing. How long will you be away? If you can, set up a pen to contain her and the chicks until you get back.

I will be home actually, 5 days after hatching. I have a large dog kennel that I can isolate them in. Is it ok to leave them in this for the ten days we'll be gone?

 

[Perris]

what is your current set up? in particular, how much space and how many birds in the flock? where is the broody sitting? what are you feeding?

 

[Lyons chickens]

what is your current set up? in particular, how much space and how many birds in the flock? where is the broody sitting? what are you feeding?

We have 11 hens, 1 roo. Hen house is 8x12 and they have a1/4 acre run. Broody is in a nesting box. I have a 2x3 dog kennel for security from the other chickens. I'll put her in there tonight. And watch her closely until we leave. She will be on chick starter pellets and probiotics in the water so she and the babies will be properly fed.

 

[Perris]

That's a decent size run. If she has been with the flock till now and is sitting tight I wouldn't move her, especially as you will be away when they hatch. I would trust her to hatch them, protect them, integrate them and show them what's food and what's not etc.. I've done this twice now and am convinced the broody knows better than I do what's good for the chicks. It'll also be a lot less hassle for your chicken-sitter. Just make sure there is water in a shallow bowl with chippings or marbles in for the chicks to drink without drowning.

 

[Lyons chickens]

That's a decent size run. If she has been with the flock till now and is sitting tight I wouldn't move her, especially as you will be away when they hatch. I would trust her to hatch them, protect them, integrate them and show them what's food and what's not etc.. I've done this twice now and am convinced the broody knows better than I do what's good for the chicks. It'll also be a lot less hassle for your chicken-sitter. Just make sure there is water in a shallow bowl with chippings or marbles in for the chicks to drink without drowning.

Marbles. Good idea. I have a wyandotte gone broody now. If she's broody tomorrow I'll give her some eggs.

 

[Lyons chickens]

May 21 hatching day. We'll see what the neighbor says. Otherwise, I'm enjoying Mexico!

 

[Lyons chickens]

Three out of three is pretty good odds!

 

[Lyons chickens]

Any idea what I have? My current flock is silver-laced Wyandotte, Barred Rock, and Wellsomer. Roo is an Americana.