Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

Iv'e kind of been put off hatching with a incy now , people say the chicks produce alot of dust etc, im debating weather to still do it or just leave it to the hens?

 

[aoxa]

 Iv'e kind of been put off hatching with a incy now , people say the chicks produce alot of dust etc, im debating weather to still do it or just leave it to the hens?

I do both. What do you mean by dust? I haven't had any issues with that, but I only hatch a maximum of 42 at a time.

If you want to hatch enough to sell and raise, I suggest doing both as well, unless you have a ton of broodies hanging around, it would worth the money.

 

[Johnn]

I do both. What do you mean by dust? I haven't had any issues with that, but I only hatch a maximum of 42 at a time.
If you want to hatch enough to sell and raise, I suggest doing both as well, unless you have a ton of broodies hanging around, it would worth the money.

i was just wanting to hatch 10 at the most out at a time just for the experience...

 

[aoxa]

i was just wanting to hatch 10 at the most out at a time just for the experience...

Oh well, stick to the broody then No need to purchase an expensive incubator if you have a nice big broody hen.

 

[Johnn]

Oh well, stick to the broody then

No need to purchase an expensive incubator if you have a nice big broody hen.

The problem with my orp this year was i wanted her to sit on 12 but she couldnt manage so 2 were taken away and given to Melow leaving her with 10 and next year i was hoping to hatch out 6 cream legbars under her and 6 gold top eggs, but i don't know if she will manage. If Melow goes broody she will just get duck eggs. and if they dont hatch she can just have a chick off the orp like this year...

 

[aoxa]

The problem with my orp this year was i wanted her to sit on 12 but she couldnt manage so 2 were taken away and given to Melow leaving her with 10 and next year i was hoping to hatch out 6 cream legbars under her and 6 gold top eggs, but i don't know if she will manage. If Melow goes broody she will just get duck eggs. and if they dont hatch she can just have a chick off the orp like this year...

The gold tops, is the silkie the mother or the father? She might be able to handle 12 bantam eggs much easier then 12 standard eggs.

 

[Johnn]

The gold tops, is the silkie the mother or the father? She might be able to handle 12 bantam eggs much easier then 12 standard eggs.

im not too sure it dosen't say.... and there is no gaurentee the orp will go broody again, but i think she will because she has loved being a mother...

 

[yo burrill]

Keeping chicks in the house is like any other animal. They do have dander. Long as you clean the brooder every few days it doesnt get that bad. My two dogs are way dirtier/ dustier than the chicks.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Just make sure you have a solid setup to keep the mess from pine shavings or whatever bedding contained too. That was probably DH's biggest gripe. I cleaned out the brooder every other day at a minumum but the dust from the pine shavings and the molted feathers still traveled. :/ That said, I used a wire dog crate with cloth sides about four or five inches high. If you have higher, solid sides, it would work better.

 

[Johnn]

Im not sure if im going to do it anymore...