Help! 1st time letting mama hatch eggs

[Ejmaggz]

So I have 3 hens that went broody around the same time. I let them each have 3 eggs. Some are definitely going to hatch, hopefully this weekend but not sure how many yet. I ordered a few chicks from our local farm store to have just in case. These mamas deserve babies! They’ve worked so hard.

I need help tho.. all 3 hens are sitting in 3 different locations. One is in a nesting box off the ground. One is on the ground of the coop. And one is in a small coop, that is high off the ground.

Question 1: Should I move the mamas and eggs to one location? If so when do I do this, before or after the chicks hatch?

Question #2: do the mamas and chicks need to be separate from the flock for any period of time? I do have 4 roosters

Question #3: should I keep my ordered chicks in a brooder and put them under mama before or after their eggs hatch?

I’ve been doing research but can’t find what solution is best in my situation.

Also do I switch my whole flock to starter feed? Medication or non?

Thank you!

 

[Bkaye]

I don’t have much to add, I’ve I my let a broody hatch a couple times and she stayed with my flock the entire time. I personally would have some concerns keeping all 3 broodies together in the same area with chicks the same age. Broodies tend to be aggressive and I would worry about them killing each other chicks.

Really hoping that someone that has had multiple broodies ar once chime in. Really curious on how this will work out.

 

[Bkaye]

Also I should add about the feed. I keep my flock on a starter or all flock feed all the time. You said you have 4 boys. The extra calcium in the layer feed is not good for your boys. Everyone can eat all flock or starter/grower and just have free choice oyster shell. If you choose to go to a starter I would go with non medicated since your whole flock will be eating it.

 

[Ejmaggz]

Also I should add about the feed. I keep my flock on a starter or all flock feed all the time. You said you have 4 boys. The extra calcium in the layer feed is not good for your boys. Everyone can eat all flock or starter/grower and just have free choice oyster shell. If you choose to go to a starter I would go with non medicated since your whole flock will be eating it.

Is there a reason the rest of the flock can’t have medicated starter?

 

[Bkaye]

It’s really not needed for them. They are immune to any coccidia that is in their coop/run. All the medicated feed is, is a thiamine blocker.

 

[Ejmaggz]

It’s really not needed for them. They are immune to any coccidia that is in their coop/run. All the medicated feed is, is a thiamine blocker.

Wouldn’t the new chicks be susceptible to coccidia tho?

 

[Bkaye]

If they are out there from day one they build up a resistance to it. That’s why a lot of people reccomend bringing a patch of soil in from the run and putting it into a brooder. Chicks exposed to it very young builds a natural immunity to it.