Hi! I'm the new chick ;-)

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Shari the chicken novis

In the Brooder
Jul 26, 2017
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I have referred to this website so much lately, I figured I may as well register! I have been a chicken owner for several years, but only a very small flock...maybe 2 or 3 ISA browns. 6 months ago, I rescued 6 more ex-batt hens from being despatched. I bought them back into good health with a lot of hard work and attention. It was so rewarding, it made me look at poultry in a different light. I've currently got 8 ISA browns, a Welsummer hen and her beautiful looking husband (who likes to share his love), a pair of indian runner ducks and a pair of Muscovy ducks! I haven't finished yet, my flock is still expanding. I have recently decided that I would LOVE some chicks and ducklings. I started collecting fertilized eggs, dating and storing them, just waiting for one of my girls to go broody. Then I discovered that I've chosen pretty non-broody breeds, and I don't have a huge chance of a broody hen. So, this weeks purchase is going to be an incubator. It is very daunting as it all sounds so very complicated. I know I need the incubator, plus and extra thermometer, plus something else to measure humidity, it's put me off a little bit. I have got a million questions for you all, so I'll start with just one...... once the eggs in an incubator start to hatch, do you just leave them all in there until all chicks are hatched? Ok, two questions..... once they have hatched, do you pop them under a hen???? Will any hen immediately take ownership of new chicks? Or should I buy a brooder and keep them inside? If so, for how long? Then what?? Ok, more than 2 questions, sorry!!!
 
Welcome!

Well, a hen will no usually want to have chicks if she is not broody, if one does go broody u cud put chicks under her at night....but it is a risk......IF sh is NOT broody she WILL most likely kill them.....:(
Yep, you leave them fluff out, they do not need food for around 24 hours. You should leave the chicks in, and wait till all the chicks hatch, and if u r sure that some are not hatching take the babies out when fluffy and put them in a brooder. :love
It is safer to have a brooder, but hens look after their chicks much better than we humans do.
:) i hope i was of help :):thumbsup
 
Welcome to byc. Glad you joined us. You leave all the chicks in the incubator until the last one has hatched and they are all dry. Then take then to a brooder with a heat lamp with a thermometer under the lamp. Temp should be 95 degrees but there hould be a place in the brooder that they can run to to get away from the light in case they're too hot. Only a broody hen may accept chicks. She may or may not. If you put them in to start with the chickens will kill them. Keep them in the brooder until fully feathered. also. each week back the heat lamp up a bit dropping the temp 5 degrees each week.
 
rIrs roost said:
Welcome to byc. Glad you joined us. You leave all the chicks in the incubator until the last one has hatched and they are all dry. Then take then to a brooder with a heat lamp with a thermometer under the lamp. Temp should be 95 degrees but there hould be a place in the brooder that they can run to to get away from the light in case they're too hot. Only a broody hen may accept chicks. She may or may not. If you put them in to start with the chickens will kill them. Keep them in the brooder until fully feathered. also. each week back the heat lamp up a bit dropping the temp 5 degrees each week.
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2x
what i said but it a much better and nearer way ;P
 
I have never hatched chicks. If you don't want to go through incubation get a broody breed of hen or two, and wait for them to go broody. Some breeds that make the best broody hens are Buff Orps, cochin, silkies. They are very worthwhile to have. Not every hen of those breeds will go broody but, if they come from well bred stock or breeders, they are very likely to.
 

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