letting a hen raise chicks

[Abriana]

Yeah, thats what I figured. Sigh...

 

[bobbi-j]

Make sure all chicks are the same age, and no older than two days, as a hen will usually not accept two-day old chicks. Sometimes she will, but it is better not to take chances. Wait until nighttime. When it is dark, remove the fake eggs and slip the chicks under her. Try to be as quiet and stealthy as possible. Make sure to keep an eye on them the next day, just in case. Separate them from the rest of the flock in a run inside the pen. That way, the other chickens can see the chicks and become used to seeing them around, without being able to hurt them. When the hen is finished with her chicks (you'll know when, she will be pecking and chasing them away from her), take the hen out, but not the chicks. when you feel they are ready, let them out for a supervised visit with their 'aunts' and mother. After a while, put them back in the run. After a few days, leave them out unsupervised, but not out while you are away. When they seem okay with the hens, and seem to understand the danger of hawks, you can leave them out full time. I do this with my chicks and I have only lost one chick (my only predator loss of my entire flock) before I figured this all out. This process can be time-consuming, and even if you don't do it this way, they might be just fine, this is what works for me so that I can keep all my chicks alive.

I used to separate hens and chicks until the chicks were a couple of months old. A few years ago, I read here that many experienced chicken keepers let their hens hatch and raise their babies within the flock. This has been a much better method for me. Depending on the hen, I will just let her be, or give mama and babies some space for a few days until babies are stronger than right after hatch. Mama is far more protective of them early on, and babies are more easily integrated into the flock. The first year I tried it, my broody was killed when the babies were just 5 weeks old. Because they were already integrated into the flock, they were accepted by the other birds.

 

[chickenmama109]

Why not use your own fertile eggs?...If your Hen goes Broody give her some Eggs to hatch....Make sure they are all from the same day...

do i just let them go broody and then put the eggs they layed that day under them

 

[centrarchid]

Many experienced chicken breeders also practice a little separation. It need not be complete as in penning, rather work to make so home ranges of broodies with chicks do not overlap extensively or without refuge from general flock ranging.

You should see the drama going on around my house with just two broody hens that I pulled away from bulk of flock in and around the barn. Broods large (12 and 22). Hens got into a couple battles already.

 

[aart]

I hope I don't come back as a Cockerel! Lol!

'bout spewed a mouthful of coffee!

 

[chickens really]

do i just let them go broody and then put the eggs they layed that day under them

Yes...You can collect the eggs all your hens laid in one day and set them under her ...That's what I do...I also set my hen up in a brooder with food and water with a nest and her eggs till they hatch...

 

[chickenmama109]

where do i store the egg

 

[chickenmama109]

You may want to candle the eggs. You do so on day 17 (or at least, thats what I do). What you need to make your own egg-candler:
Strong flashlight
Toilet paper tube
The broody's eggs
What to do:
Place the toilet paper tube over the beam of the flashlight and hold it there with one hand, with the other hand (being VERY careful and gentle) place the egg on the top of the toilet paper tube. Tilt the egg different ways until you see an air pocket at the base of the egg. If the inside of the egg looks empty, it isn't viable and you can dispose of it. I will post a video for you, if my instructions don't seem clear enough. I am going to candle my eggs tonight.
I think you are also supposed to candle on day 10 too, but I don't.

thank you very much
can i take take the eggs they laying and put then on that and then put then under the hen

 

[chickens really]

where do i store the egg

How many hens and how many eggs do you get daily?...You can store eggs in egg cartons in a cool basement for up to 10 days before setting ...Just keep one end if the carton up on a book and keep alternating it..

 

[chickens really]

I only set the 7 eggs I get in one day...