Surviving Minnesota!

[holm25]

The random bittersweet plant that grew finally has some berries on it!

 

[Tfred1399]

I've been doing some article searching today and didn't really find what I was looking for, but I know you folks have the answers.

After we get a bit of an egg inventory, I think I want to hatch some of our own chicks. I'm guessing that is best done come spring.

I can candle and can get an incubator. If I have a girl that gets bloody, I'd prefer to do that.

That's where the questions start. When we get a broody hen, how does one candle eggs and place with her? Do you just take eggs laid over the next several days and place them under her and wait?

If she hatches chicks, she and the chicks will need a separate space from the flock, right? How much space do they need? Do people keep the hen with the chicks? How do you feed them separate diets?

I figure this winter I can build a small brooder. I'm curious on how much space I'll need.

Enough questions for now. I'll have more later.

 

[BantyChooks]

Do you just take eggs laid over the next several days and place them under her and wait?

If she hatches chicks, she and the chicks will need a separate space from the flock, right? How much space do they need? Do people keep the hen with the chicks? How do you feed them separate diets?

Yes. You do not need to candle. Just stick them under her and leave her alone.

I usually separate them from the flock for about a week & give them about 6 square feet for that time. Yes, keep the hen with the chicks, and I just provide chick feed in another feeder that only the chicks can reach for a bit. They eat the regular flock food once they're old enough to fit pellets down their throat.

 

[bobbi-j]

I've been doing some article searching today and didn't really find what I was looking for, but I know you folks have the answers.

After we get a bit of an egg inventory, I think I want to hatch some of our own chicks. I'm guessing that is best done come spring.

I can candle and can get an incubator. If I have a girl that gets bloody, I'd prefer to do that.

That's where the questions start. When we get a broody hen, how does one candle eggs and place with her? Do you just take eggs laid over the next several days and place them under her and wait? Yes. This spring I was getting a dozen eggs a day, so when I had a broody I just took the eggs laid the day I decided to set her, and put them under her. I candled at around 7 days, and then 14 days.

If she hatches chicks, she and the chicks will need a separate space from the flock, right? Not necessarily. I think it could depend on the hen's status in the flock. My best broody set and hatched within the flock and had her babies out and about less than 24 hours after hatching. The next one to go broody, I kept separate for a few days before letting them mingle. I have my coop set up so I can section off portions of it if I need to.

How much space do they need? I think that would depend on how many chicks hatch, and how long you plan on keeping them separated. I feel the more room available, the better.

Do people keep the hen with the chicks? I do. I find broody-raised chicks are more able to take care of themselves, roost sooner, and are more quickly accepted into the flock when integrated at a young age with the mama.

How do you feed them separate diets? Mine all get an all-flock feed.

I figure this winter I can build a small brooder. I'm curious on how much space I'll need.

Enough questions for now. I'll have more later.

 

[Tfred1399]

Yes. You do not need to candle. Just stick them under her and leave her alone.

I usually separate them from the flock for about a week & give them about 6 square feet for that time. Yes, keep the hen with the chicks, and I just provide chick feed in another feeder that only the chicks can reach for a bit. They eat the regular flock food once they're old enough to fit pellets down their throat.

You're able to integrate hen and chicks back with the flock at 6 weeks? That's not too bad.

 

[I Love Layers]

Sure is hazy here today

 

[BantyChooks]

You're able to integrate hen and chicks back with the flock at 6 weeks? That's not too bad.

1 week, not 6. I just keep them separate until they're no longer so fragile that a peck to the head will kill them.

 

[Cebarmlds]

The broody is good at protecting her babes! I put up a screen between her and the rest of the flock, when she is ready to take them out she will show the signs and then take the screen down. She will take them to the run with her and keep them near while she dust bathes etc. She will also break up bits of food for them. I bring out hard boiled egg smushed up for them and she will show them it's ok to eat. It's so cool to see her with the chicks. Hopefully you will have one go broody in the spring

 

[Tfred1399]

The broody is good at protecting her babes! I put up a screen between her and the rest of the flock, when she is ready to take them out she will show the signs and then take the screen down. She will take them to the run with her and keep them near while she dust bathes etc. She will also break up bits of food for them. I bring out hard boiled egg smushed up for them and she will show them it's ok to eat. It's so cool to see her with the chicks. Hopefully you will have one go broody in the spring

Will they need separate housing after that week? Will the chicks be able to get up into the coop?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I've been doing some article searching today and didn't really find what I was looking for, but I know you folks have the answers.

After we get a bit of an egg inventory, I think I want to hatch some of our own chicks. I'm guessing that is best done come spring.

I can candle and can get an incubator. If I have a girl that gets bloody, I'd prefer to do that.

That's where the questions start. When we get a broody hen, how does one candle eggs and place with her? Do you just take eggs laid over the next several days and place them under her and wait?

If she hatches chicks, she and the chicks will need a separate space from the flock, right? How much space do they need? Do people keep the hen with the chicks? How do you feed them separate diets?

I figure this winter I can build a small brooder. I'm curious on how much space I'll need.

Enough questions for now. I'll have more later.

Will they need separate housing after that week? Will the chicks be able to get up into the coop?

Chicks cared for by a broody is less work for you, no dangerous plug in red lamps. 6 weeks of servitude to baby chicks all handled by a broody hen.
One draw back is that the chicks seem less socialized to you. Albeit if they are hens they will come around when they start laying eggs. And I might say roosters tend to have better manners. More respectful to hens as the broody usually teaches them 'manners. ' really!

I have built a 2x4 broody hutch that goes in my covered run when we have such goings-ons. Which actually I do right now.
(I wish it were spring! )

It is a quiet dark place. I have bought a fancy wood brooding nest only to trade it out for a beer flat box. These work the best. Because during her last week of brooding the egg she goes into lock down and will broody poop in the nest corner. These flat boxes make it easier to clean out soiled nesting materials or discard the box all together. I also lace the nest with mint and fresh herbs to repel parasites and pests. Broody's in this state are vulnerable to them. So she does not need to leave the beer box I set up feed. Usually moistened to avoid spilling and a small fount loaded with Little Rock's or marbles. I may also add a probiotic/ Vitamin supplement to the water while she sets as it's hard on them.
When the chicks hatch every body gets chick feed --momma too. She will not lay eggs 5-6 weeks while she broods the chicks anyways. I usually give the hen the broody space as long as she wants. Soon she'll bring the chicks into the coop.with her. The chicks are hopping up and fluttering pretty good at 2-4 weeks. Little athletes. The rest of the flock free ranges away from the coop and only come back to lay so for the most part the space is their own all day. I have found 'additions' to the egg clutch under a broody so be sure to mark the brooding eggs so as not to have a mixed up staggered hatch.

Hmmm what else...?
At the 5-6 week point the hen will most likely start laying again and click out of her Broodiness. You'll then see the chicks kicked out. Sort of amazing process really.