My BROODY hatched her 1st CHICKS - NEW Questions???

[Layin Eggs]

Good morning all,

One of my broodies has hatched some chicks, not sure how many total yet due to her huddling them underneath her body. I know there is at least a few. My husband built a small temp coop to move her and her chicks to once hatching is complete. (to seperate from rest of flock)

My question is, Do we need to put a heat lamp in the temp coop to make sure the chicks stay warm? Or will the mother be sure to keep them huddled at night?

Thanks!

 

[Mahonri]

No heat lamp needed. If momma is fully feathered, she'll take care of them just fine.

Congratulations. It's amazing how good hens are at brooding chicks!

 

[windtryst]

No need for a heat lamp, Momma will do a good job. I did not move mine, worried too much about reintroducing them. Momma kept everyone else away, and all get along fine.

 

[Judy]

Agreed. I'm not going to separate them after hatching, either, or at least not after about 24 hours after the last one hatches, so there won't be a problem reintroducing. It is a little more dangerous, as a chick can get injured, but if Mama is a good Mama, she will stop anyone else who might attack a chick.

Last year this same group stayed together to raise one chick without a problem, though, so I kind of have a head start here.

 

[Layin Eggs]

Thanks for the quick replies. I wasn't paning on seperating them totally, There would just be a barrier between one half of the coop they could still see each other and such. Should I not bother?

Also how long do i let the broody stay on the unhatched eggs before tossing them? Will she get up on her own?

thank

 

[Layin Eggs]

bump

 

[Portia]

She will get up and move out with the hatchlings on her own, usually within a couple days of the first hatch. Because chicks are alright for a few days without food/water, this is fine. The hen seems to know when it is time to begin showing them how to forage. This doesn't mean that the abandon eggs are 'bad' just that it is time for mama to move on to assure the health of those that have hatched.

 

[Judy]

I agree, I'd just leave the eggs alone til she takes the chicks outside, then toss the rest.

My broody is separated (in view) only to keep the others from laying in her nest and disturbing her, mostly because she's fairly small and on 10 eggs. I'll open the cage probably the next day after I see the first chick.

 

[77horses]

I agree with everyone; leave the eggs, UNLESS they are leaking/oozing and smell really bad; then you should toss those bad ones because they are rotten and if the gas builds up a lot in them, they could explode and cause a REALLY nasty mess.

Congrats on the chicks! Our broody BO hen is currently sitting on her first batch of eggs and she's on day 13(with some of them, anyways. It's more of a staggered hatch; some are older than others).

Good luck and have fun with the new little fuzzy butts!