Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[BlueCamas]

When the chicks hatch, how do I make sure that only the chicks and mama are getting chick starter and that the other chickens aren't gobbling it up. I'm letting mama do her thing in the coop and will put a cage over her for the first few days after the chicks hatch.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

I don't know how your going to keep the other hens out of it unless you leave the cage around them. I have all my broodies either in separate pens or with a cage around them till I get some more pens built 'cause I'm all out of pens right now.

 

[Fuffy]

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They don't need the chick crumb for more than about a month...Sounds like your grown ups will be enjoying it too.

Good luck!

 

[blueseal]

8 more days til i know if my broody hatches her 7 eggs. 6 white and 1 brown under her.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Congrats blue seal!

Peeka52: I was also wondering about sorting out food, but was more concerned with my chick eating the Layer feed. It took me until yesterday (he's 3 weeks old) to figure out that I needed to move the layer feed away from the coop to where my hens n roo free range but where the chick hasn't ventured yet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just let everyone eat the starter since they were all together, it won't hurt the rest of the flock, just set out oyster shell for your layers till baby gets old enough to eat layer. or like Blarney said put it out of reach of chicks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Looks like your gonna be busy for a while, Congrats and don't forget the pics we Love them..

 

[Fuffy]

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Looks like your gonna be busy for a while, Congrats and don't forget the pics we Love them..

X2 !!!

 

[blueseal]

moved my broody easter egger hen into a big dog crate yesterday with her 7 eggs. when they hatch the other hens wont bother her or the chicks . ms broody took right to the crate shes happily sitting on her eggs. sunday the 11th is hatch day . i have 6 white eggs and 1 brown egg under her. my two roosters ones a pure white leghorn and the other is a pure white rock. should be intresting to see what the chicks look like. happy hatching.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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well finally I was worried everyone was through for the year, don't forget pics and all the best for a Great hatch.. and of course pics we thrive on them..