Rachel'sFlock :
What I have learned from my First Hatch:
Meddle less.
Relax more.
Have more faith in the hen to do her work.
Set fewer eggs to begin with.
Enjoy the suspense.
Have a stack of books to read during the 21 days.
Next time (and, gods and hens willing there will be a next time) I will be a lot more patient with the whole process.
The second (and subsequent times after) will likely be much easier.
Turns out, chickens really do know a lot more about being chickens than I ever will! Stony, and Miss Lydia, you were absolutely right!
About everything!
I can vouch for this all being true. My first time was a flop and I think it was too much interferance and too many eggs. The second was MUCH easier on me, even though it was still sort-of the first time. I didn't mess with the hen near as much, and at the hight of other hens sneaking in she only got up to 7...she now has 4 adorable little chicks and I know you guys deserve part of the credit for the advice, the fuzzy butt fixes you shaired, and holding my hand though all the
so poor mama didn't have me messin in the coop all day.
As to taking the chicks out. Once my hens started they were out all day every day. I just lay a board to span the jump and check on them after supper to make sure they ALL made it in (a few times one didn't--if it won't let you scoop it up then grab mama off the nest to cluck to it
One night I didn't get out to check on the first batch and one was lost--My observation with both moms is the hen will stay with the majority of the chicks, Fluffy Britches would plop on top of them all outside befor I remebered to instal the "ramp", but will leave one chick to take the other 3 to the nest at night).