Questions on Hatching

[Super Admin]

We have ordered fertilized eggs for our broody hen. I have a few questions.
1. Does she need any help from us?
2. If she gets off the nests to eat and drink will the eggs cool and die?
3. Do we need to separate her while she is laying on her eggs or can she stay in the coop with the rest?
4. Can the chicks eat from the same feed container as the rest or do they need a lower/smaller holder?
Thanks we are excited and nervous about our new peeps.:h

 

[Billy7871]

I to am a new egg but heres what I have learned.

Question 1 The hen is way better at this than you are.
2 The hen is way better at this than you are.
3 I would separate her.
4 The mother will show them how and what to eat but to keep them from drowning the water dish need to be shallow and I would feed the starter/grower feed.

 

[jthayerkatz]

1. Other than making sure the broody hen if getting food and water and not getting bothered by the rest of your flock, her natural instinct will guide her through the process as long as she is a good mother. if this is her first time watch closely to make sure she is doing what she should.

If she does well the first time there is less concern for the next time.
2. The hen will hold her bodily functions and usualy get off the nest once a day too eat drink and relieve herself. the eggs can mantain their internal temp. for up to thirty minutes depending on the ambient temp. wich this time of year should not be an issue.
3. most peopl seperate a broody hen with her eggs to an area that they can see the rest of the flock but not intermingle with them. like a pen within the pen. if they are in view of the rest it will be easier for the mother to return to the flock and for the yungn's too join later.
4. if you seperate the hen put starter food in the babies area. the mom will show the babies where the food is. the chicks must be able to reach the food and water so keep it low at the start, but the get big fast and you should raise it as they grow or they will only make a big mess with it.

hope this helps some.

I sure that many people with slightly varying opinions will answer, just learn as much as you can and do what works best for you and your set up. there are no rules set in stone, we learn by doing and sometimes we make mistakes.

best of luck to you and your flock.