Handy Hints On Rearing Chicks, Unfinished

This will be a short and I hope helpful guide to rasiing chicks aimed at the novice poultry keeper. At some point every chicken lover will probably want to have a go at hatching and producing their own birds, whether for pure enjoyment or to raise a few pennies.

What comes first? Well, the eggI suppose.I will cover rearing under a broody first, as care needs to start even before hatching to ensure good results.

Eggs should be fresh, store in a cool area and gently turn each day. Soiling can be removed by gentle scraping, but eggs for broodies should not be washed, washing removes the protective outing coating on the egg, allowing infection to pass through the porous shell. Bantams can sit on quite large eggs, but a large girl like an Orpington should sit on large eggs, as unfortunately they can squash very small chicks.The usual number of eggs is traditionally odd, as they tend to fit in the nest area better, ensure the hen can cover eggs comfortably, too many eggs will result in chilling and a poor hatch, eggs should also be of a similar size.

Choose the sitting area carefully. The hen should be housed in a secure area, out of reach of dogs and foxes, and direct sunlight. Treat the hen and nest area with a suitable lice treatment and give her some nesting materials. I sometimes use a cut turf ,it provides moisture and padding and is easily disposed of afterwards, otherwise a bed of woodshavings, straw or your preferred bedding can be constructed. Offer the hen some dummy eggs, and leave her to settle, I usually make sure they are sitting tight before offering the real eggs. How to know they are really broody? If you try to touch the eggs she will usually squawk loudly at you, and may attempt to peck, gloves may be useful with some hens!

Where you sit her is important. She will need to stretch her legs, have a pooh and take food and water at least once a day. If she is in an open house she can decide when to do this, but it is wise to check her, as sometimes they are so broody they will not get off the eggs. Broodiespass enormous, very smelly poohs, indeed these are often an indication of broodiness, so by checking if she has poohed you can tell if she has been out for food and water. Whilst she is out of the sitting area the eggs can be checked and any damaged or obviously infertile eggs can be removed. If she is sitting on a flat, open floor an 'L' shaped wooden batten will prevent the eggs rolling out of the nest. Ideally, she should be housed in a secure house and run which is safe for chicks when they hatch, chicks can easily escape from tiny gaps and may get lost or killed by predators, including cats, and even other hens will kill chicks.