With our first chicks, I started them in a brooder...which they quickly outgrew, so they wound up feathering out in my bathtub. I'd like to avoid that this time! I have a buckeye hen who goes broody regularly, so I'd like her to raise some chicks for me this spring. I have a couple dummy eggs for her, and my current setup will allow me to isolate her and the babies from the rest of the flock, so I think I'll be good to go. What I need help with is the timing. After she begins being broody, how long before I isolate her and give her the dummy eggs? How long do I let her "set" the eggs before sneaking in at the dead of night to slide the chicks under her? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
