Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: kizza on November 26, 2006, 20:16

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: kizza on November 26, 2006, 20:16

A friend of mine's Light Sussex bantam has gone broody and he has put half a dozen fertile warren eggs under her. But is winter a good time to raise chicks or is the weather too cold and wet for them?

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: muntjac on November 26, 2006, 20:28

the hen will keep them warm but i would suggest you taking them indoors if possible make a pen up of some sheets of 8ft by 2ft hardboard in a circle in the store /shed if you can put a bulb 60 watts is enough hanging down in the centre at the 2 ft hieght ,if the chicks are cold they will go to the heat source and if to warm away the circle wil prevent them from huddling up in a corner .put hay on the floor not sawdust or shavings make sure mom has plenty of water in a drinker if the chicks can fall in they may drown so use pebbles to stop this ,i have reared them in severe weather using this method ,hope this helps

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: kizza on November 26, 2006, 20:34

cheers muntjac the pebbles method is a great idea

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: muntjac on November 26, 2006, 20:40

no pebbles use marbles  :wink:

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: kizza on November 26, 2006, 20:41

hahaha i get ya!

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: kizza on November 29, 2006, 21:06

any more suggestions?

Title: broody hens/hatching chicks off
Post by: muntjac on November 29, 2006, 21:58

what for .tyhe drinkers ,if ya havent got pebbles or marbles .use a small ring of wire netting .not plastic   :)