need serious help

[typitts12]

I have a game hen sitting on 13 eggs right now they are gonna hatch hopefully be june 8th. im building a little brooder for them. is a 3x3x3 big enough???? i dont really want to run a heat lamp all the way down there so can i just keep the hen with them???? if so when can i take her away from them??? when can the chicks start free ranging with my fully grown chickens???? this is my first time hatching so please help me!!!! PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS!

 

[sourland]

Why not just allow the hen to raise them? Game hens are excellent mothers. Given enough space to protect them, free ranging with their mother in the flock from hatching will make their integration smoother.

 

[donrae]

I agree with Sourland. Don't make this hard on yourself and let the hen do the work. Hens have been raising chicks for thousands of years, and game hens are the bomb at being mommas. No one messes with their babies!

You don't need a heat lamp in the coop for the chicks, momma is their heat lamp. If you've only brooder raised chicks before, you'll be amazed how much time they spend out from under her from a few days old, no matter how cold it is outside.

Once the first chick hatches, momma will usually stay on the nest another 1-2 days to give all the chicks time to hatch. Once she feels they're done, she'll take the chicks off the nest for food and water. The first hatched chicks don't need food or water for the first few days, so they're fine to just hang with momma. When she's ready, she'll take them off the nest. Be sure there is feed and water where the littles can reach it. They'll be able to free range right away, momma will keep them away from the main flock for a few days and gradually work her way into the flock. Lots of space for the littles to keep out of the mature hen's way and some hiding places are a good idea. Other than that, sit back and let momma enjoy her babies!

 

[typitts12]

Do you just when they all hatch let them free range with the hen??@sourland

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with them. Do not build a brooder, it is not needed. Do not offer a heat lamp, it is a fire danger and totally not needed.

When can you take the hen away? This takes a longer answer. When the hen is ready to wean them, she will stop hanging with them, stop finding them food, stop spending the night with them, and stop protecting them. She will abandon them and leave them totally on their own to make their way with the flock. They will make their way with the flock. They will eat, drink, and take care of themselves. They will still be the lowest in the pecking order so they will avoid the older chickens until they grow up enough to make their way in the pecking order, usually sometime after 5 months.

I have had a hen wean her chicks and leave them totally alone at 3 weeks, but 4 to 9 weeks is more typical. They are all different.