- Sep 17, 2012
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So this is my second hatch ever! My first hen went broody two months ago and hatched five chicks, two died right after birth and one was eaten by a hawk at four weeks. Two are still here and both roosters. Overall, I would say that that hatch went relatively well considering that it was my first, but I want to do everything possible to make sure that this hatch goes well. Yesterday, for the first chick hatched and today another one did. There are still five eggs left and don't expect two of them to hatch until at least Friday if not Saturday. I have a makeshift brooder set up in my garage since I have some eggs incubating right now. I have never used a brooder, but I am wondering would it be okay for me to put any remaining eggs; after she gets up and leaves them, in the brooder, directly under the heat lamp? I have heard of people incubating eggs with a heat lamp before, and given that I will probably only remove them one day or two before they hatch, would this possibly work? Also, my lovely leghorn, who, I was told, would never go broody, has gone broody. And what better timing then the day the first chick hatched from my other hen? So now both of my nesting boxes are full of broodies 
ugh! It will only be for this week since my other hen will stop being broody soon, but until then, my hens have nowhere to lay. I am thinking about putting a makeshift laying box out in the run somewhere, and hoping that they can figure out what it is for. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. On another note, I marked each of the hatching eggs with metallic sharpie, and so far so good! It didn't kill them! I will post anymore questions that I have here, but I would love to hear different answers to my questions so that I can figure out what is best. Thanks!
ugh! It will only be for this week since my other hen will stop being broody soon, but until then, my hens have nowhere to lay. I am thinking about putting a makeshift laying box out in the run somewhere, and hoping that they can figure out what it is for. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. On another note, I marked each of the hatching eggs with metallic sharpie, and so far so good! It didn't kill them! I will post anymore questions that I have here, but I would love to hear different answers to my questions so that I can figure out what is best. Thanks!
