What Do I Do?

[Chicken-Maniac]

Hi, there! My family and I are thinking about hatching our own chickies! But the question is, how?
We already have a Brinsea incubator (and the option to let our hens hatch them in a separate little coop area) and some chick starter. What else do I need? Should I hatch them or would it be better to let the hens hatch?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Well, you'll only have a hen hatch if the hen goes broody.

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi, there! My family and I are thinking about hatching our own chickies! But the question is, how?
We already have a Brinsea incubator (and the option to let our hens hatch them in a separate little coop area) and some chick starter. What else do I need? Should I hatch them or would it be better to let the hens hatch?

I would hatch using an incubator, some broodys are really worrying. You would need a heat lamp, and I recommend dog pads as bedding in the brooder. Although, if a broody hen hatched them, you dont really need a brooder, but like I said, some broody hens are awful at hatching and some are great!


I would try to leave 5-6 eggs (for hens to go broody), and if the broody is a bad mom, take the eggs and pop it in the incubator. Just make sure that you have brooder materials in case.

 

[Chicken-Maniac]

I would hatch using an incubator, some broodys are really worrying. You would need a heat lamp, and I recommend dog pads as bedding in the brooder. Although, if a broody hen hatched them, you dont really need a brooder, but like I said, some broody hens are awful at hatching and some are great!


I would try to leave 5-6 eggs (for hens to go broody), and if the broody is a bad mom, take the eggs and pop it in the incubator. Just make sure that you have brooder materials in case.

Cool. Thank you!

 

[cherrynberry]

Cool. Thank you!

see my other reply on your profile...what breeds do you have? silkies and cochins are typically great mothers

 

[cherrynberry]

Nevermind on the breed's question...