i have some questions. I’ve had a Brahma go broody on me. I’ve tried to break her for over a week without any success. So, I’m thinking about giving in and letting her hatch out some fertilized eggs (I do not have a rooster and I can’t per landlord).
However, I would like her to raise the chicks. I do not want to separate them from her upon hatching. But I have some questions regarding this.
I have a pretty big coop and 8 hens. The coop has access to a large penned in area, and my backyard which is also pretty large.
I’m thinking of putting a dog crate in the coop, having her hatch out and raise in the crate in the coop. I figure I’d keep it closed for a good few days to let her teach them what they needs to know about eating and drinking without disruption. Then I’m thinking I’ll open the door of the crate after that and allow her to roam if she pleases with her babies.
It’s summer here, so cold weather is not a worry of mine at all. I’m just worried about integration. I know some hens can be aggressive towards chicks, but that usually mama hen puts them in their place.
I’ll make it clear I do not want to separate mama and babies from the flock where they cannot be seen.
So those of you who have had mama raise their babies....how did you do it and what worked best?
However, I would like her to raise the chicks. I do not want to separate them from her upon hatching. But I have some questions regarding this.
I have a pretty big coop and 8 hens. The coop has access to a large penned in area, and my backyard which is also pretty large.
I’m thinking of putting a dog crate in the coop, having her hatch out and raise in the crate in the coop. I figure I’d keep it closed for a good few days to let her teach them what they needs to know about eating and drinking without disruption. Then I’m thinking I’ll open the door of the crate after that and allow her to roam if she pleases with her babies.
It’s summer here, so cold weather is not a worry of mine at all. I’m just worried about integration. I know some hens can be aggressive towards chicks, but that usually mama hen puts them in their place.
I’ll make it clear I do not want to separate mama and babies from the flock where they cannot be seen.
So those of you who have had mama raise their babies....how did you do it and what worked best?