7 out of 10 is a very good hatch! 70% Anything above 50% is good.
Early in this adventure there was an egg that seemed to be cast aside - did that egg hatch?
I think you handled everything right! Once mine leaves the nest, they are done brooding. I think it is the movement underneath them that seems to change the trance into the active lets take care of the living chicks broody aspect.
At this point, I would no longer confine her. I would let her make the choice when she wants to take them out to the layer flock. At this time I would flip the layers over to chick starter with oyster shell on the side. A lot of people get flock raiser, and that is another option, I just can't always get it.
A very exciting journey - and you are going to find nothing is more fun than a hen with chicks - wait till she teaches them to hunt grasshoppers! it is a hoot.
I really believe, that while it is a bit more risky letting a hen do it her way, I do think that the chicks that live are much more healthy and get more exercise than a broody box chick.
Mrs K
Early in this adventure there was an egg that seemed to be cast aside - did that egg hatch?
I think you handled everything right! Once mine leaves the nest, they are done brooding. I think it is the movement underneath them that seems to change the trance into the active lets take care of the living chicks broody aspect.
At this point, I would no longer confine her. I would let her make the choice when she wants to take them out to the layer flock. At this time I would flip the layers over to chick starter with oyster shell on the side. A lot of people get flock raiser, and that is another option, I just can't always get it.
A very exciting journey - and you are going to find nothing is more fun than a hen with chicks - wait till she teaches them to hunt grasshoppers! it is a hoot.
I really believe, that while it is a bit more risky letting a hen do it her way, I do think that the chicks that live are much more healthy and get more exercise than a broody box chick.
Mrs K
