Ok So I'v had my rooster a week now and he is breeding my hens. I'v seen it a few times. I want to my hens to hatch some eggs. I have 7 hens and 1 rooster. They "free range" in a 15 x 15 ft pen and some times a 1 acre pasture. I feed a grain mixture I get from my dad thats a mix of alot of different grains(I can't remember exactly and it changes with every batch) and free choice oyster shell. Now for my questions.
1. Should I wait longer to make sure the eggs are fertile?
2. How should I help them go broody? Should I leave some eggs and hope one starts setting? Or???
3. If I leave eggs for her to set how long are they viable if she leaves them?
4. How long should I wait before taking the eggs away if she doesn't set?(that are still edible)
5. How long till the eggs should hatch?
6. How do I make sure no other hens are laying eggs in the fertile nest while setting hen is gone?
I'll add more as I think of them =) Thanks
1. Should I wait longer to make sure the eggs are fertile?
2. How should I help them go broody? Should I leave some eggs and hope one starts setting? Or???
3. If I leave eggs for her to set how long are they viable if she leaves them?
4. How long should I wait before taking the eggs away if she doesn't set?(that are still edible)
5. How long till the eggs should hatch?
6. How do I make sure no other hens are laying eggs in the fertile nest while setting hen is gone?
I'll add more as I think of them =) Thanks