Allowing Mother Nature bring chicks

[Heathero617]

Not many here discuss in depth when or if you allow your hen to actually sit on her eggs and allow them to hatch out. From what I've gathered from this awsome, wonderful, fantastical site is we're on about day 11 or 12 in incubation. We looked at the egg today >candled it< and we could see the chick moving and i THOUGHT i saw a foot. I bought a brighter light today and plan to peek again when it gets dark. Then I'm done messing with her and her eggys because she is grumpy with me. Here is what I plan on doing....

I plan on moving mama and baby >provided the little booger hatches like its supposed to< into my "crate" that I had the other chicks in for a few days inside the house until we're done with the real cool nights. At that time, i'll allow the new chicks out of their "peep pen" and in with the big guy >black silkie named Mork< to make sure everyone is going to get along. And once i'm sure of that, i'll put mama and baby in the "peep pen" to ensure the baby doesnt get tromped or picked on.

Now....do I have to worry about humidity or anything with this egg since mama is doing the hatching? Its just her and her man in the coop, the other chicks are in a play pen of sorts i built within the coop run >the yard as I call it< so they cant bother her, which was a concern of mine. I'm a firm believer of Mother Nature knowing best, but i'm still very new with this and i've never had a hatchling before or a fertile egg for that matter. I'm soooooo nervous!

 

[desman]

Mama will take care them

 

[ScissorChick]

Welcome to Back Yard Chickens!

Your in the right place to learn lots!

Mama will take care of her babies, you do not need to worry about humidity, or anything.

You may have to kick mom off the nest once a day to eat, and that's really all. When/if your
baby hatches, you should block off an erea JUST for mommy and the baby. There should

be no other adult chickens allowed near the little ones until the babies are old enough to
defeand themselves from the big guy if they need to.

Happy Hatching!

SC

 

[LadyWoodsong]

What if you have a hen that is broody but no fertilized eggs for her to hatch? Will she come out of her broodiness naturally? We don't have a rooster but a hen has gone broody. Not sure what to do about her..... I already bought some chicks to add to our flock so I don't want to hatch any. Any suggestions?

 

[Rebecky54]

I wouldn't move her inside the house -- just separate her as other suggested. The chicks will get under mother and under her wings when they are cold.

Becky

 

[ScissorChick]

Quote:
Some suggest putting the hen in a cage with a wire bottom.

From my understanding, the 'breeze' through the bottom makes her think it's not a good place to nest,
and it breaks her broodiness.

Good luck!

 

[Heathero617]

Quote:
Do you think it would harm anything? I'm really needing the few days i had planned to integrate the new chicks with the big guy and what not so the "peep pen" might not be available for her and the baby. My peeps are about 5 or 6 weeks old. By the time we get to hatching day, they'll be about 7 or 8 weeks. I have to get on the ball and build them living quarters this weekend while my husband is home. Gotta use him for all he's worth while hes here!!!! If this chicken thing doesnt chase him away, nothing will LMAO