melissam331
Hatching
- Jun 13, 2015
- 3
- 0
- 7
We are hatching eggs under a broody for the first time. We started with 6 purchased eggs (3 ameraucana and 3 maran), and after identifying 2 clears, and having to remove 3 early quitters, we are down to one egg at day 17. 
We were hoping for two or three chicks to add to the flock, so are planning on purchasing a couple chicks from the same breeder. I would love some guidance on how to introduce the "adoptive" chicks, when to do it, and what to prepare in case the mother rejects them. The mother is currently segregated to her "maternity ward" in a kennel in our outdoor covered chicken pen. There is not an incredible amount of roaming room in there, so I want to build a temporary chicken wire enclosure within the same outdoor pen, around the kennel, so that the mother and chicks will have more room to roam once they get larger. If we make such an arrangement, how long would you keep them separated (but still visible) from the flock? I have heard conflicting information, and am starting to wonder if I should bother segregating them at all. The hens have an insulated coop, with covered pen attached, with a door that accesses a fenced pasture. I apologize for the many questions all in one thread, but I would love to hear what experienced hatchers would do. Thank you in advance.
We were hoping for two or three chicks to add to the flock, so are planning on purchasing a couple chicks from the same breeder. I would love some guidance on how to introduce the "adoptive" chicks, when to do it, and what to prepare in case the mother rejects them. The mother is currently segregated to her "maternity ward" in a kennel in our outdoor covered chicken pen. There is not an incredible amount of roaming room in there, so I want to build a temporary chicken wire enclosure within the same outdoor pen, around the kennel, so that the mother and chicks will have more room to roam once they get larger. If we make such an arrangement, how long would you keep them separated (but still visible) from the flock? I have heard conflicting information, and am starting to wonder if I should bother segregating them at all. The hens have an insulated coop, with covered pen attached, with a door that accesses a fenced pasture. I apologize for the many questions all in one thread, but I would love to hear what experienced hatchers would do. Thank you in advance.
