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I'm one of those people. It's not because I don't know how easy it is, it's because I leave it up to them. I try to keep my chickens safe but I don't try to micromanage them. I let them decide a lot of things. I've had a broody hen take her chicks to the roost at 2 weeks of age. I've had...

I agree with NatJ as to what dry hatching means. Either you try to maintain a set but lower humidity than the incubator manufacturer recommends or rely on whatever humidity is in the air. My suggestion on that, if you try and one method works, great, you nailed it. If it doesn't work, then...

Layer pellets should have between 3.5% and 4.5% calcium. If that is all they eat then it should be plenty of calcium. If they forage for a lot of their food or you feed them low calcium treats it might not be enough calcium. I like to offer oyster shell on the side. If they need the calcium...

When I butcher my chickens, small batches throughout the year, I always check the intestines for roundworms or tapeworms. I have not found any yet. With the worm load that low I haven't seen a reason to worm them. If I ever find a roundworm or tapeworm I will worm them all. if I find a...

I have never seen that behavior toward chicks with my chickens but they do eat mice, frogs, snakes, and such. It's not just the large fowl chickens either that eats those things and more though what they hunt depends on the size of the chicken. The other chickens eating chicks is not on my radar.

I don't try to keep their water cool or cold though that might help them cool off a little in the heat of summer. They don't sweat but cool themselves by breathing out warm moist air. Warm water does not concern me. I do try to keep it from getting hot. Hot could be a problem. Dark...

Whether those chicks are genetically his or not, a normal rooster considers the chicks to be his genetic link to the future. His instinct is to help his offspring make it so they can reproduce his qualities. I'm not stunned when I see something like what you posted, it is what I'd expect...

A lot of chicks have been hatched with some of those incubators. There are so many different makes and models out there. Some of them are not good but if it holds temperature and humidity well you can hatch eggs. The eggs need to be turned regularly too. I try to be as hands-off as I can but...

I let my broody hens raise the chicks with the flock from Day 1. My rooster leaves the chicks alone or may occasionally help Mama take care of them. For the most part the other hens leave them alone as long as the chicks do not invade their personal space. If the chicks invade the hens'...

Some of the things that could have possibly happened: They may have been cooked somewhere, in the sun while stored or car or elsewhere. If it gets hot enough it will kill the embryo. Same thing with it being too cold. Going from hot to cold to hot to cold a few times can be hard on them...

What do you want to happen? Do you want them to hatch eggs and raise them or do you want to get some chicks to give to them? Sometimes two broody hens (or more) will work together to hatch eggs and raise chicks. Some people post photos on here showing that. Sometimes one broody kills the...

Yes, use an enclosure so you can catch them when it is time to take them in. They can be quick.

During the winter, 1 rooster and 6-8 hens. In summer just before I start butchering 1 rooster, 6-8 hens, and around 45 to 50 immature chickens of various ages.

Is the kennel chain link? A photo of the coop where you want to attach it could be useful. I'm not sure what you are attaching to. If you are attaching chain link (or any wire) to wood, use a furring strip. Take a strip of wood maybe 1-1/2" wide and 3/4" thick, drill pilot holes, and screw...

Most of the hatcheries we use (like the hatcheries TSC gets theirs from) only sex full sized chicks and still get it wrong maybe 10% of the time. They do not try to sex bantams. The people sexing them need to do thousands of chicks in a fairly short time, so they are not wasting time. Bantams...

Or mix a small amount with water to make a wet mash. You want them to be able to clean it up so it doesn't go sour.

Every time you make a change there is a chance something will not go right. It's just that way with living animals. It is purely your choice but I would not make a change without a reason I considered important.

It needs to be dark when you candle the eggs so nighttime is probably best. I candle in a room with no windows so I can make it dark in there. Unless I am giving the hen chicks or taking them away I don't worry about day or night. Some people worry about that but I don't.

If you remove the hen she will break from being broody and forget all about the chicks. I'd leave her with the chicks. I'd also put them with the flock as soon as you can. She should handle integration for you as long as they can mingle with the flock. 12x12 is not a huge area, hope it will...

So what is your recommendation? Is it dangerously low? How would you suggest supplementing it?