Too late to start chicks?

[Whimsy]

I will take my hen off the nest at least once a day. She fusses and walks around all fluffy and dazed for a few moments then kinda shakes ( I think to clear her brain) then eats and drinks. I read somewhere it is not good to keep food next to her.

 

[JHillgrove]

I have the food out in the cage part so she has to come out of the dog house to eat and drink. Though I might have to take her out, because I dont think she leaves willingly.
I added about 7 eggs to her 1,

she only had 1 egg. Seems like a waste of time, though I guess thats what I did when I had my babies. 1 at a time, 4 times.

I put her in last night when it was dark, I was so worried she wouldnt sit back on the eggs. But after a little while she went in the dog house and sat on the eggs. I was so relieved.
When should I candle them?

 

[Oregon Blues]

It's a good time to hatch chicks. The pullets should start to lay very early in the spring. If you can sell point of lay pullets really early in the year, you can get good money for them. Nobody else will have them until summer.

A little extra effort to make sure they don't get wet and chilled. If they are with the hen, she should take care of that.

 

[wbruder17]

I've got a hen sitting on 9 eggs. Even if it did get very cold around here, we have heat lamps and anything they would need to, so I'm not worried about hatching now. They will be fully feathered by the time it gets cold in November/ December. I plan to hatch quail all winter.

 

[Whimsy]

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I agree..it is also nice to have your own hens laying in Spring. After raising chicks in the spring and fall, I find fall chicks are easier...not the swings in temp.

 

[rancher hicks]

If you can separate her then I see no problem. Moms know what they're doing most of the time. There is a risk in everything and if you' re game then go for it. I once had a hen hatch two chicks in the dead of winter. Below zero temps and she hatch both her eggs. Amazing.

I wish you the best,

Rancher

 

[JHillgrove]

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Separate her from what??

 

[rancher hicks]

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Separate her from what??

From the other birds. They may not take well to her chicks. I have had hens mother chicks with the other birds but they need plenty of room.

 

[JHillgrove]

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Separate her from what??

From the other birds. They may not take well to her chicks. I have had hens mother chicks with the other birds but they need plenty of room.

Oh yes, she is separated, she is in a brooder house I made just for her. Seems to work great.