Beamerz
Songster
I'd tried to orchestrate my first hatching attempt in April, but we had a very long cold spring ( MA) and I was so busy with my garden and plants, I decided I'd give up on it for this year. They just were not broody. But then one nite about 19 nites ago I was counting chickens and came up one short. My only bantam, little black and brown Polish little girl. I hunted and called to no avail and then at last discovered her behind a "tote" - ( plastic box flipped over) on which I'd earlier "orchestrated"my" nesting box with eggs to be ignored". She was on a huge clutch of eggs and I didn't know what to do so I thought I'll follow her lead, and I just let them be. Within a few days she organized the eggs into two piles.. first one "neat" - for her and the the "other " pile.. I just let her be, so happy she was broody. About a week later she'd reorganized the second pile to be neater and a second hen decided to join in. I do not know what I'm doing but I have prepared a way to enclose the area both of these hens are sitting on eggs in ( behind "totes") and under my huge poop shelf ( 4'x8') 4' off of the ground ..over which my other 11 hens and crazy rooster "rooste" on their bars. I am trusting nature to help the 1st hen hatch eggs but not sure if I need to just leave them all there or move the first group into a different segment of the area? Any and all help would be so appreciated. Also our days are in the low 70's but nights are getting down to low to mid 60's. I don't know if I need to ad a lamp ? I feel stupid but when I started to get this project rolling I had more time, but when they ignored my efforts ,( it was pretty cold)I just decided to let it be and got maxed out in my huge garden which I'm probably way to old to be doing but I just don't know how to quit. I am pretty happy about the chicks I hope to be coming and we did over our run today prepping. I've even figured out how the mamma's can have a separate area outside as I have two chicken doors.. THANKS in advance! All help is very appreciated.