Letting chickens hatch their own

[RockStarDad5]

My children were wanting to have some new chicks, I figured what better way to make that happen than to just let nature runs its course. So my hen is currently sitting on 12 eggs as of today. Maybe I can get some help.

Is 12 too many eggs for the hen to sit on?

What do I do if more eggs are added?

What do I need to do to prepare for the hatching of the eggs

When should I be ready for the chicks?

Should I expect 12 chicks since I have 12 eggs or is it common for a few to be no good?

And once they are hatched will I need to care for the chicks in any certain way or will the hens handle all of that work?

Thanks for any input or advice!

 

[mm22kids]

I don't have all your answers but I'll tell you what I've been doing. I let my chickens hatch there own eggs. the ones that are sitting on nest are smaller chickens like bantams so I only let my chicken have around 10 eggs that's was as many as she could hide under her. If in the barn there were any more I either put them under another broody chicken or kept them for myself. My duck is laying like crazy so I'm only letting her have 12 I don't want any more than that.

Sometimes all the bunch will hatch sometimes not. One this sight you can teach your kids about a candle test. I just looked it up myself. I keep my mama and babies in a enclosed cage for awhile until the babies are old enough to take care of them selves if I let them outside. I do let them in my yard right away once and awhile only if I'm able to keep an eye on them.

The babies will need a flat area to walk on so I cut down on the amount of hay I put in the cage and they need the crumbles to eat the pellets are to big for them. As long as they can reach there food and water my mamas take care of there babies all by them selves.

Good Luck Hope this helped a little There are many more knowledgeable people on this sight than me

 

[Yay Chicks!]

You could mark the 12 eggs that are currently there. If the other hens add to the pile you can remove those daily. (I have not done this before, but I've read that this has been done). There is a lot of information on here and I'm sure you will find what you need.

What kind of chickens (and rooster(s) ) do you have?

 

[Beekissed]

My children were wanting to have some new chicks, I figured what better way to make that happen than to just let nature runs its course. So my hen is currently sitting on 12 eggs as of today. Maybe I can get some help.

Is 12 too many eggs for the hen to sit on? Nope but that is also depending on the size of the bird. Twelve seems like a great number to start her off.

What do I do if more eggs are added? You'll have a more successful brood and hatch if you move her to a place of her own where it's private and safe from the other hens. It's just better all around for the hen and the chicks when they arrive.

What do I need to do to prepare for the hatching of the eggs Move her and her eggs, under cover of darkness, to a new location. Here's a good method....place a towel over her, pick her up gently and move her to a new nesting site. Place a cardboard box up ended over the whole nest with just a small flap cut to make a door...close the flap for the first day and then open it up the next. No, she won't die of thirst or hunger when you do this. Provide water and food in her new place but don't be surprised if she doesn't get off the nest very often to partake of it...this is normal and will not harm her.

When should I be ready for the chicks? Approx. 21-22 days since she first started to sit on them.

Should I expect 12 chicks since I have 12 eggs or is it common for a few to be no good? Don't expect anything and you will be pleasantly surprised. It's common for not all the eggs to hatch and even for the hen to remove or eat those that are not developing. That's normal and she is not becoming a cannibal.

And once they are hatched will I need to care for the chicks in any certain way or will the hens handle all of that work? Provide chick starter and water and stand back to watch the best chick brooder in the world show us all how it's really done~it's magic! You do not have to provide medicated feeds as your chicks will be exposed to all the mama's germs and that is all good for them....let nature happen.

Thanks for any input or advice! Good luck!!!!

 

[RockStarDad5]

I actually don't know.. My grandmother told me one time but I cannot remember what she told me. My dad got them for me one day and brought them over for us. I was going to buy chicks from our local farm store but my dad brought these.One of the hens is bright red, almost orange, the other hen is black with red and the Rooster is white, black and red.. I will post pics of them eventually and maybe someone could educate me a little more.. I'm still new to this LoL