Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[citychicken0981]

i put them in two day ago and everything was fine. but maybe you guys are right nature has this way of working itself out. sometimes i have to remember to step back and let it take its path. it seems i try to make things perfect for my birds but they know how to be a chicken better then i know how they work.

 

[sacramento]

This is a littke off topic but what does one need to get for chick vaccinations? And what is the dose for a bantam? Thanks!

 

[Betty1]

Morwenna seems serious this time!! She's been on since this morning and she does that growling thing when I go near. All her breast feathers are gone!!! How soon can I put eggs under her?

 

[Betty1]

Also, how big does a broody coop need to be? is 2x2 big enough?

 

[MEMama3]

Also, how big does a broody coop need to be? is 2x2 big enough?

I'd go a little bigger, but it really depends on when you plan to integrate the flock. If you are integrating right after hatching you can go smaller, but if you wait until they are 6-8 weeks, those babies need room.

 

[lindz8504]

Morwenna seems serious this time!! She's been on since this morning and she does that growling thing when I go near. All her breast feathers are gone!!! How soon can I put eggs under her?

Also, how big does a broody coop need to be? is 2x2 big enough?

You can probably go ahead and poor some under her if she has pulled feathers and is pancaked in a nest box. My broody coop is about 3x3.

 

[Betty1]

What's the best time to integrate the babies into the flock?

 

[Betty1]

I forgot to add they'll have quite a big run about 5x5

 

[MEMama3]

What's the best time to integrate the babies into the flock?

There are different opinions on that. Neither is "wrong". Some allow them to integrate right at hatching figuring that mama will protect the chicks. Others wait until the chicks are a comparable size to the adults. I choose to meet in the middle. My run has the ability to be divided. Mama hatches in a coop right next to the main coop. She and her chicks can have contact with the rest of the flock from day one, but the big girls can't hurt the chicks. At about three or four weeks I remove the divider and see how they do.

 

[Betty1]

ok thanks