[suffolkblush]

Hi all,

Sorry if this topic has been covered elsewhere, I've had a look round but I can't find the specific info I'm after. I've been keeping chickens for a while and I'm looking to hatch out some additions - one of my Marans is extremely broody so I'm thinking of popping some eggs under her.

My question is - will I need to move the chicks inside once they are born or can they stay with 'mum'? I'd like to keep the whole process as natural as possible - I've got a small ark which I would like to use as a nursery pen, it's got a nice sized coop (no perch, 1 nest box) and a run attached.

So can/should I: 
1. raise the chicks with mum, totally outside?
2. Move mum and chicks inside (into large rabbit cage) with heat lamp
3. Separate and heat the chicks, raising them away from my other hens then give them their own run
4. As with 3, introducing them to the main mini-flock at age.... xx?

All advice gratefully received!
Thanks
SB

[rosie14]

Hi, sorry I'm going to be no help but I have the same questions!

I just did a post, probably the same time as you did yours (it took me forever between 3 children interupting and phone calls!) the only thing is I set the eggs under our broody Orpington yesterday....I had done no forward planning thinking nature would take care of it and what will be will be. The thing is I think that's fine with a large diverse area of ground but my 3 hens are in a 30x5 foot coop so can't really get away from eachother iykwim?

Best of luck with your broody, I must admit I'm probably more excited than the children lol!! 

[AL Hathaway]

leave mom and babies outside she does all the work you get to watch and rest easy she will let you know when she has had enough and ready to go back with the big girls (around six weeks) or until she gets fed up with them and her job is done. and then the babies can go in the playpen

[ANHBUC]

Here is an article which may give you some advice

http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/incubation-and-hatching/incubation-using-a-broody-hen.html

Good luck 

[joyfull]

there is lots of advice to be found on here - as lots of us do it every year  . just pop broody hen in the search box and I'm sure tons of advice will appear