i have some questions on pairing chickens!

[olijo123]

Hello! I need some advice and help! I have 16 bantams. And they free range but at the moment their pen is being built so any time now they will be fenced in. We recently bought a rabbit hutch on sale at our local feed store. We bought it for the bantams so whenever I have a broody hen or chicks I can keep them separated from the other chickens. So, lately I have been having a lot of my friends who all have chickens saying "Oh! I love that rooster!" and "Omg! I love your silkie hen!" And so basically to sum it up people are wanting me to pair certain bantams together and incubate the eggs. I thought I would try it out but I have a few questions. I thought I could put a hen and a rooster in the new rabbit hutch and keep the two in their and when the hen lays her eggs I could take the eggs and then let them out. I have never done this before so this is all new to me! Is this a horrible idea? If it works, How long do I keep them together? Thank you!

 

[Den in Penn]

If you have more then one rooster it will take at least two weeks, three weeks to be sure for any unwanted rooster's sperm to clear out of the hen. Is the hutch large enough to hold them for the time needed to do that and collect the eggs you want?

 

[olijo123]

If you have more then one rooster it will take at least two weeks, three weeks to be sure for any unwanted rooster's sperm to clear out of the hen. Is the hutch large enough to hold them for the time needed to do that and collect the eggs you want?

Yes, its large enough. And if they get cramped I have another pen that's fairly large so that could work as well. So, if I keep the hen and roo separated it will take two or three weeks for the sperm to clear out? If so, then can I just pen her up and wait until long enough then collect the eggs? Thank you!

 

[Den in Penn]

Yes, you can just isolate her for the three weeks, then add the rooster. Then take him out again if you wish.

 

[olijo123]

Yes, you can just isolate her for the three weeks, then add the rooster. Then take him out again if you wish.

Okay, Thanks for your help!