hatching and caring for chicks

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Hi there,

I have 4 eggs under my broody chicken (Charlie) and am unsure what I need to do (if anything) when the chicks hatch? What do I need to feed the chicks once they arrive?

Laura
owner of Charlie (White Sussex), Ginger (Gingernut Ranger), Maureen (Silkie), Bettie (Black one).
 
Sorry I have another question, do I need to seperate the Charlie and her chicks (when they arrive) from the other chickens ?????
 
Nearer the time of hatch I move mine into their own little pen, with chick crumb and a water close by
Some hens are o.k. with another hens chicks but not always the case.
Just make sure in this hot weather(if it comes back) that she gets off her eggs and has enough to drink.

Happy hatching.
 
Hello

If you read my thread '21 days and still no sign of hatching' it will have all the answers. I've just been through it myself .....everyone was very reassuring as it was our first time hatching eggs :)

Penny&Amy

White Sussex-Tallulah, Rhode island red-Bob, Maran-Phoebe & 3 kids!!
 
Hi Ya,

Thanks for all the advice, I'm sure this forum is going to come in very helpful. I have managed to get hold of a rabbit hutch and run, just incase they dont get on but ideally I would prefer to keep them together. I will also search the internet for some chick crumb today in preparation.

Its all very exciting. (Day 14)
 
Hello, no, they wont - try to keep them apart from your other hens if you can - i would use yourt rabbit hutch for at least a week or two :)
regards, David :)
 
After re visiting my calculations, we're on day 19 now. Is it recommeneded to move my broody chicken into the rabbit hutch now or after the chicks have hatched?

Thanks for all your help
 
Hi, wait until the chicks hatch- but try to keep the other hens away from your broody- as soon as they are hatched and fluffed up- move them to the rabbit hutch with the broody-please wait until all are hatched and dry.
regards, David :)
 
charlie is a mummy to 1 chick so far !!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG we are all so excited :D :D :D :D
 
chick number two arrived today, they are so beautifull. The first two were orph's and the two remaining are pekins. It is day 20 today, do pekins take longer to hatch? I have thinking of candelling but didnt want to disturb them.

I also have another problem / dilema................... charlie (broody chicken no1) was joined by maureen (broody chicken no2) shortly after my fertilised eggs arrived. Maureen has sat tight next to charlie for the last few weeks. Now the chicks have arrived they are hinding under both chickens............ I am planning on popping mum and chicks into a rabbit hutch and seperate run for a few weeks....... are my chicks gonna have two mums or is it best to only put one mummy chicken in with the chicks ??????

I was considering getting maureen some fertilised eggs of her own but I'm not sure what to do for the best ????
 
Hi, it's best to just give them to one hen- or separate them and give them one chick each-leaving them together could cause problems- sometimes they will fight over the chicks and hurt them and each other- i don't know whether the other hen will sit eggs after she has been brooding the chick/chicks.
regards, David :)
 
Thanks for that David, it helps alot. I think they will fight over the chicks, one of them is a silkie and she a little 'nasty' shall we say !!!!One other q.... I can move one chicken and the chicks into a seperate rabbit hutch and run tonight but there are still 2 eggs unhatched. Is it safe for me to move them if I'm very careful not to turn them ect?
 
Hi, i would move one hen with the chicks and leave the other hen with the unhatched eggs- the hen with the chicks will need to feed/drink and also the older chick will be hungry and thirsty by now- put them in the rabbit hutch with chick crumbs and a low/drinker- (something the chicks can't drown in )
regards, David :)
 
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