New Chicken Owner with first brooder

[Geezer_Tech]

Hi:
I am a fairly new owner of 5 Barred Rock chickens with one being a rooster. For the first time I have a broody hen and checking out the site for insight. A snake got the first set of the brooders eggs so she is stealing the other hens eggs and brooding them.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to byc!
So, are you wanting her to hatch some chicks? If so, first step will be providing a safe place to do so that is protected from pests and predators....this may be in the coop or in a private area you set up just for her.
If you keep her with the flock the next step will be deciding how many eggs to set, marking those eggs (sharpie is great for this)and then checking her nest daily to remove unmarked eggs. This prevents having a nest full of eggs that are all at different stages of development which leads to the hen abandoning some to care for the first to hatch (generally she will wait 24-48 hours from the first hatch).
Do you have a plan for any chicks that may hatch. ..especially the cockerels?

 

[drumstick diva]

She needs a better setup or the snake will get the next ones too.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
This video should help you learn your way around this site:

Once you get settled in, share a few pictures of your flock!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice and links already so I'll just say hello!


All the best

CT

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join us here! Sorry to hear about the snake and I hope you have better luck this time.

Enjoy your time here on BYC