We're on day 12 with my BO sitting on 5 SLW eggs, and I'm planning on adding some extra chicks. (Also, I haven't candled yet, but I need to do that to see if any of her eggs are viable) When is the best time to add additional chicks? On the expected day of hatch? After her eggs hatch? Before? I can pick up the chicks any day, as the breeder lives right down the street and always has new babies ready... so what do you think?
You don't want to add them until her eggs have actually hatched, but I would do it that very same day, and do it at night. And make sure that the chicks you are adding are also only day olds.
Well I just candled them (with a very crappy flashlight) and saw movement in all 5 eggs! The breeder has a minimum of 4 on day-old chicks so I guess I'll just get the 4 since I may have a 100% hatch (after doing SO many things wrong) What a good little broody I have. I guess I'll just buy them on the expected hatch date and wait?