This is our third year of hatching but the other two years have been ducks. This year is chickens!
Tomorrow is day 18, so lock down. I was wondering if I should put something down in the incubator for the chicks when they hatch to help their little feet? Is the wire bottom ok for them?
In years past we have snatched out ducklings and put them in a brooder box with towels as the bottom surface, something they couldn't eat, would soak up the water and mess. We had to change out towels twice a day though, dirty little guys. Chickens I am told are cleaner so we plan again on using the towels as towels seem safe, good to stand on, nothing small for them to try and eat that they shouldn't.
So maybe a damp thin towel under the eggs or am I over thinking this?
All the best,
Kimberly
P;S. Eggs are a homeschool project for us, we keep the hatchlings for a few weeks and then return them to the farm we got them at to live happy lives. We live on a military post and they don't allow farm animals! I can't wait till my husband retires as we will have some experience with ducks and chicks and can keep them then!
Tomorrow is day 18, so lock down. I was wondering if I should put something down in the incubator for the chicks when they hatch to help their little feet? Is the wire bottom ok for them?
In years past we have snatched out ducklings and put them in a brooder box with towels as the bottom surface, something they couldn't eat, would soak up the water and mess. We had to change out towels twice a day though, dirty little guys. Chickens I am told are cleaner so we plan again on using the towels as towels seem safe, good to stand on, nothing small for them to try and eat that they shouldn't.
So maybe a damp thin towel under the eggs or am I over thinking this?
All the best,
Kimberly
P;S. Eggs are a homeschool project for us, we keep the hatchlings for a few weeks and then return them to the farm we got them at to live happy lives. We live on a military post and they don't allow farm animals! I can't wait till my husband retires as we will have some experience with ducks and chicks and can keep them then!