[darcyhen]

Hi,
I have eight eggs under my broody and it will be three weeks on Friday so hatching is imminent.
I have Henrietta in a seperate house with a run on grass. She has wood shavings down and i am going to buy the little hoppers for water and food tomorrow.
What should i expect and what else do i need? chick crums?
thanks

[Aunt Sally]

   There's nothing like planning ahead Darcy... 



...and that's nothing like planning ahead 

[joyfull]

some peeps on here put sheet material over the shavings for a couple of days to help prevent leg problems. The mother hen should instinctivly know what to do, just provide crumbs and water (shallow dish for water with marbles in is ideal and helps to prevent them drowning).

[BrianK]

Lots of hot water and towels.  I seen all the films with expctant mothers.

[darcyhen]

what kind of sheet material? like a bedsheet? like the marble idea!

[chickenlady]

what kind of sheet material? like a bedsheet? like the marble idea!

Yep sheets are good!, I buy cheap packs of fabric dishcloths! they work a treat and can just be thrown away!

Debbie

[darcyhen]

How much 'pacing' should i do? Can i just leave her to it or should i be checking every hour or something? What does she need? What will be the best food for her to build her strength up.....
I've been so laid back about this because i ddn't think the eggs would be fertile or develop properly. Now it looks like we will have chicks I am all flustered!
Mind you they wil probably all be cocks!
thanks for all the help
michelle

[BrianK]

okay lets calm down  deep breaths.
Cigars are not politically correct now. So if u chew gum please dipsose of it carefully.  (ever seen chickens chewing gum?  No.  I don't think its a healthy idea.

Chances are twins are not an option.  So rest assured nappies are not going to be expensive.




OH  set up a college fund asap.

[joyfull]

wild witchy told me about the marbles  ,
Now do stop the pacing you are wearing a groove in the floor. In the absence of valium have a good stiff drink or in my case of being t total a double espresso 

[darcyhen]

I've prepared everything and when i put the others to bed tonight i listened outside henrietta's house and heard a little cheep!!! When i looked in i couldn't see anything.
Do you think it's out but underneath her or could it be making that loud a noise from inside the egg.
SOOOO exciting. My kids can't wait. They'll be out tomorrow morning very early to see if any have hatched.

[Vember]

No way of knowing for sure but yes it could be out Or it could just have pipped, if that's the case then I'm sure it will be out by morning

Don't forget to pop some pics on Chicken Chat once they're all out so we can ooo & ahhh


Sarah

[chickenlady]

They do cheep very loudly from inside the egg!! so who knows?? we could hear ours from inside their eggs over the tele, inside the incubator!!  :blink:

Debbie

[darcyhen]

Definitely I have the camera by the back door. The boys will want to take pics to school.
Thanks

Michelle

[darcyhen]

They do cheep very loudly from inside the egg!! so who knows?? we could hear ours from inside their eggs over the tele, inside the incubator!!  :blink

Wow! Everyone i know (without chickens) is amazed that the mum and chicks communicate before hatching but i didn't know it was so loud.

Off to bed now as exciting day ahead tomorrow!
Bye
michelle

[woodside farm]

Thought you would like to see my chicks that hatched today