Questions I have about hatching chicks

[PepsiCatt]

Hi i have many questions about hatching chicks and broody hens.
1. Should i incubate the eggs by chicken, and save money or do it by incubator?

2. Is there a way to get a hen back into broodiness?

3. Is there a way to raise my chickens to get used to me picking them up, but they still sense prediators?

4. When should I put the chicks in the adult coop?

 

[50-45-1]

1. Should i incubate the eggs by chicken, and save money or do it by incubator?

If you have a broody, an appropriate pen for her to brood and raise chicks, the broody will do all the work. Saving you alot of preparation with incibator, brooding box, heat lamp or plate. Chicks raised by broodys are healthier and less prone to pasty butt and other issues.
Also have a plan for roosters either way. Usually half will be male.

 

[50-45-1]

2. Is there a way to get a hen back into broodiness?

No

 

[PianoTheSilkie]

No

Actually, broodiness can be triggered by a nest full of eggs, or golf balls...

 

[50-45-1]

3. Is there a way to raise my chickens to get used to me picking them up, but they still sense prediators?

Making pets of your chickens or not has no effect on preditor loss.if you free range you will loose some, usually your favorite. Everything eats chicken and they have no defences.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

No

I disagree. There’s away to encourage her to go Broody.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I disagree. There’s away to encourage her to go Broody.

What way is that?

 

[JaeG]

Some breeds tend to go broody but there are exceptions so it's never a guarantee. Broodiness is a hormonal change often put in motion due to seasonal changes, though some hens will decide to be broody in winter.

If you want your chicks to enjoy your company you should brood them yourself. Different breeds will be friendlier than others and each bird will have its own personality.

Chicks tend to be friendly, then pullets can be quite flighty until they start to lay, at which stage they settle right down again.

Once fully feathered at around 6 weeks they will keep themselves warm enough outside and can move out to their coop.

 

[PianoTheSilkie]

What way is that?

broodiness can be triggered by a nest full of eggs, or golf balls...

 

[50-45-1]

4. When should I put the chicks in the adult coop?

Well that depends on your particular set up and your particular chickens.
If chicks are broody raised, broody will protect her chicks usually. Some situations where there is overcrowding and particularly aggresive chickens. AND if your broody is timid and at the bottom of the pecking order she may not be able to protect her brood. You must watch closely for a few days when putting broody back with flock ( I usually keep her separate for 2 weeks. Then chicks can at least get out of the way of any disagreements.)
Your incubated chicks will need a longer period of slow integration with see and no touch at first then a period where they can join the group area but with an escape plan to dash back to safety, then slowly they may mix with lowered or other roosting situations if they are bullied.
Do you have chickens now?