Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[raygirl4386]

The same barred rock hen is still sitting in the nest, I think she might have taken over her nest.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Where do you sell the chicks?
I have tried selling eggs and it has been very very slow.
Needless to say we eat ALOT of eggs.
We live in a rural area and its seems there are eggs everywhere.
I did have some luck selling laying hens at around 4-6 mos old, but those I bought from a hatcher and they were already sexed.

How do I tell which ones are roosters and hens?
I have NO experience with roosters.
I would like to keep a rooster from my hatch of Ameraucanas.

Thanks sorry born and raised in the city and now living in the country married to a farmer who had chickens growing up but
doesn't remember anything.

 

[Johnn]

Its so much fun to see Life and Nature and the wonders of it all!

I know!

 

[essyd]

Final countdown to my chicks hatching and I'm so EXCITED!!!
(although cant count my chicks before they hatch)
I de-mited her the other day is there anything else I need to do or sit and let nature take its corse????

 

[bumpercarr]

I think my broody was kicked off her nest so now she is on another nest I'm thinking of bringing her into the house to sit in peace. I don't have a place outside built yet.

If I removed all of the other eggs, my broody would go back to her nest.

 

[bumpercarr]

Where do you sell the chicks?
I have tried selling eggs and it has been very very slow.
Needless to say we eat ALOT of eggs.
We live in a rural area and its seems there are eggs everywhere.
I did have some luck selling laying hens at around 4-6 mos old, but those I bought from a hatcher and they were already sexed.

How do I tell which ones are roosters and hens?
I have NO experience with roosters.
I would like to keep a rooster from my hatch of Ameraucanas.

Thanks sorry born and raised in the city and now living in the country married to a farmer who had chickens growing up but
doesn't remember anything.

You can sell them unsexed, you just have to sell them for less $$. Not knowing exactly where you are, I suggest the farmers market. Same for the eggs. You can get top dollar (I paid $20/each) for hens that are ready to lay. I guess figure out the economics and then market in that direction. Also, the local penny saver and craigs list are good ways to try to sell. We have a local bookoo site that a lot of people use. I think it costs about $35 for 3 months of unlimited advertising with pictures. There are ways to find an outlet for your eggs and chicks, you just have to find the way that works best in your neighborhood. Once you have customers, they will generally keep coming back if they are satisfied. You can also advertise them to sell outside of your immediate area, but shipping chicks and eggs is not for the faint of heart, I wouldn't even attempt it myself.

 

[bumpercarr]

Where do you sell the chicks?
I have tried selling eggs and it has been very very slow.
Needless to say we eat ALOT of eggs.
We live in a rural area and its seems there are eggs everywhere.
I did have some luck selling laying hens at around 4-6 mos old, but those I bought from a hatcher and they were already sexed.

How do I tell which ones are roosters and hens?
I have NO experience with roosters.
I would like to keep a rooster from my hatch of Ameraucanas.

Thanks sorry born and raised in the city and now living in the country married to a farmer who had chickens growing up but
doesn't remember anything.

Forgot about the sexing.....I can't tell until they are about 4 months old. The roosters start to develop saddle feathers at about that time. Before then, people say that they can tell by behavior, but I haven't had very much luck with that. If the saddle feathers (lower back, right above the tail) are long and thin, it is probably a roo. If they are shorter and fatter, it is probably a hen.

 

[Flowerbh]

Generally, will roosters attack baby chicks? My roosters are relatively docile and have never tried to attack me. While they do not enjoy me holding them, they also will submit once they are in my arms. All of them are relatively dominate: they fight on occasion over who is alpha but I can always step into stop them without a problem. Do you think these roosters would be likely to attack my chicks? Thanks

Here is a great photo from the internet showing a Rooster baby sitting ???/many chicks! I love this photo. My own rooster never harmed the chicks. He would hang out with them a lot, too.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Aww that is just adorable!

 

[kian]

We have 5 out of 8 eggs hatched so far today!