Hi all,
Background: I have a 2yr old RIR cross that is broody. She has been broody for almost two months so I decided I would have a go at raising chicks the natural way by using my broody.
I popped 4 eggs under her but lost two in the first 4 days due to the other girls or boys eating them. We moved her out immediately to a make shift brooder (a dog crate) whilst we built a proper one. We moved her in there last night. She has a nesting box (with the two remaining eggs in) and a run with feed and water.
Question: how long can she come off the nest for before the eggs are in danger? She obviously feels comfortable to do this now and has spent the last hour off the nest, foraging and bathing. This is the second time I have seen her out today. Should I be worried?
Many thanks in advance for any help
Background: I have a 2yr old RIR cross that is broody. She has been broody for almost two months so I decided I would have a go at raising chicks the natural way by using my broody.
I popped 4 eggs under her but lost two in the first 4 days due to the other girls or boys eating them. We moved her out immediately to a make shift brooder (a dog crate) whilst we built a proper one. We moved her in there last night. She has a nesting box (with the two remaining eggs in) and a run with feed and water.
Question: how long can she come off the nest for before the eggs are in danger? She obviously feels comfortable to do this now and has spent the last hour off the nest, foraging and bathing. This is the second time I have seen her out today. Should I be worried?
Many thanks in advance for any help