*HATCHARIES* Where, who, and dependability.

[lazy gardener]

Love the blue colored birds. Had a self blue Ameraucana who was absolutely stunning. I am also a fan of heating pad brooding. I am a confirmed penny pincher. If I can make it myself and save some money, that's the plan. Hubby and I built 2 incubators. MHP frame and pad can be put together for a fraction of the cost of a heat plate.

 

[Chickassan]

I use alfalfa hay in my brooder and coop and it gets eaten way before it has a chance to get funky. The chicks prefer the small bits to the chick starter, freaked me out at first until I found out the nutritional content of alfalfa.

 

[KodaBlue]

Another question. I intend on letting established hens sit and hatch some eggs them selfs I'll have a small enclosed "nursery" if you will in the coop. What makes a really good nesting material for mamma bird to sit and sire some young. Also do barnevelders and or speckled sussex bo broody often if at all???

 

[CannedMonster]

I use fine pine shavings...almost like saw dust. The birds seem to like it and it brushes off the eggs.
I haven’t raised babies by broody yet though.
My nest boxes are actually plastic bins which will be easy to move to a better location should any of my birds decide to set.
I’ve heard of SS going broody.
Not sure about Barnevelders.