[Elcie]

Hi everyone,
I currently have 3 chickens at home in their Eglu and am going to build a chicken house at the allotment over the coming months so that I can have them there too.

So, I was thinking about maybe raising some chicks to build the stock for the allotment house.  I don't have a cockerel and am not allowed one, so would need to get fertilized eggs but I have read on here that you can buy them on Ebay.  I would be using them with a broody chicken rather than an incubator.  I have some questions please!

- when the chicks are born do they need extra heat or does this just come from their adopted mum?
- I'm guessing that this wouldn't be possible with the Eglu as there is one nest box, but could I put the broody chicken and eggs at the allotment?  Is it a good idea to separate or should she still have her other hen friends with her?
- how long do the chicks have to stay with their mum for?
- can other hens be near the chicks or should they be on their own?

Thank you and any replies would be gratefully received.  Will also have a hunt around on here tonight to see what I can find as that usually brings up some info too!

[themagicaltoad1]

Hi Elcie, I've not yet raised chicks myself but from what I've picked up about it....
A lot of people get their eggs from ebay
They don't need extra heat if they're with their mother.
You will need to separate chicks & mum from the other chickens or they will attack the chicks.
It's better for mum if she's still within view of the other chickens, they are less likely to pick on her when she returns to the main run.
Not sure at what age it's best to separate them from mum, they ideally need a few weeks to learn from mum and keep warm, hopefully someone with more knowledge will answer this one for you.
You'll need to make sure the place at the allotment is predator proof.

Just out of interest whereabouts in MK are you?

[Elcie]

That's great, thanks.

My plot is in Walnut Tree, do you know it?  Whereabouts are you?

[Roughlee Handled]

Elcie have you thought about getting a book.  This place is great but it does not beat a good book for reference. I have "Incubation: A Guide to Hatching and Rearing by Katie Thear (Paperback - Nov 1997)" I know you want to do it with a broody but this books tells you what should be happening.

[Vember]

I agree with Rough, get the book before doing anything

Another thing to consider is what your going to do with all the boys 
There will be some, and sometimes you can't tell they are till they start crowing

Sarah

[Foxy]

Does this help?

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=42631.0

[Roughlee Handled]

Now I wish I could remember all your posts Foxy.  :blink:

[themagicaltoad1]

Hi Elcie
I sent you a personal message but it's not showing up in my outbox, did you get it?

[Elcie]

Just got it magicaltoad and have replied!

Thanks for all the advice.  I am mad but I had forgotten about the boys.  I have a friend who rears chickens to sell so I guess he would take them for that maybe but I would have to find out first as I wouldn't want to have boys without knowing where they would go.

The book sounds good so I will look into that too

[Foxy]

Now I wish I could remember all your posts Foxy.  :blink:

well there are rather a lot of them!!!