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where to put a broody hen..

 
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bethlehen



Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 10
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:35 pm    Post subject: where to put a broody hen.. Reply with quote
This is going to be like 20 questions as I'm a newbie!!
1. I have a broody but no cockerel (have a had a problem with aggressive cockerels) so am going to get fertile eggs to put under her and move her out of the coop with the others into a shed on her own with no access to outdoors...is this a good idea?
2. I have 5, 8 week old chicks who have been living in afore mentioned shed ..are they too young to move into the coop with the others (its a 5 star shed with lots of garden to play in etc)
3. Could I move the broody in with another post broody who has 2 chicks and a luxurious pad?
aagghh! Am running out of places to accomodate all the different stages of life!
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Pekinout



Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 437
Location: Cornwall
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:38 pm    Post subject: Re: where to put a broody hen.. Reply with quote
bethlehen wrote:
This is going to be like 20 questions as I'm a newbie!!
1. I have a broody but no cockerel (have a had a problem with aggressive cockerels) so am going to get fertile eggs to put under her and move her out of the coop with the others into a shed on her own with no access to outdoors...is this a good idea?
2. I have 5, 8 week old chicks who have been living in afore mentioned shed ..are they too young to move into the coop with the others (its a 5 star shed with lots of garden to play in etc)
3. Could I move the broody in with another post broody who has 2 chicks and a luxurious pad?
aagghh! Am running out of places to accomodate all the different stages of life!


The chicks are too young to go out with the others, they should still be on low heat in a brooder.

I'd put the new broody in a place on her own, a tea chest sized box is ideal with plenty of straw, and a small area for her to come out and exercise when she gets stiff sitting.

I wouldnt put the two broodies in together, they're usually quite protective of their chicks once they hatch.
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Itsybitsy



Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 1316
Location: Leicestershire
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'd agree with all of that, but will just add I take my broodies off the nest every night for a stretch and poo, I don't leave them and hope they do it themselves.

Itsybitsy
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Pekinout



Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 437
Location: Cornwall
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yea good thinking itsybitsy forgot to mention that. Some birds will sit there forever and not bother to eat or drink or pooh if you leave them lol
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bethlehen



Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 10
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Crikey, that means I will have 5 different hen homes on the go! Will need to find a suitable place for the broody! Thanks for the advice, 2 more questions:
When can I put my 8 week old incubator hatched chicks out with the others?
When should I put the hen and her chicks out with the others?
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Pekinout



Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 437
Location: Cornwall
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
HOw old are the hen's chicks? They should be ok, but the older hens might pick on them.

I dont put my chicks out until they're about 12 to 16weeks old depending on the weather.

I reduce the heat from hatching by about 5 degrees per week, then when they're off heat, let them out in a sheltered run on fine days for a little while but keep the lamp in the house incase they get chilled and want to warm up. Then switch the lamp off after a week.

They should be hardened off by then. I wouldnt put them in with the other chicken unless you have to cos the older hens will pick on them.

If you have to, cos you don't have room for a seperate run, put them in at night, sit them on the perches and in the morning the older ones will think they've always been there, but may still pick on them.

I never put them out til they're feathered up properly and almost point of lay (21 weeks old).
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bethlehen



Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 10
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the advice! The hens chicks are only 4 weeks old so I'll still keep them separate for a while yet. but I'll find a nice quiet little corner for the new broody to sit on her eggs. She's only 5 months old, it seems amazing she's already broody.
Thanks!
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Pekinout



Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 437
Location: Cornwall
PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You're welcome. Good luck.
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