Top Tips for successful chick reaing

Tom McFly gives key points to get your hatchlings to strong, young birds

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USE A BROODY!

If hands off supervision appeals to you, using a broody is a great solution. If you support her by protecting her from predators, keeping her parasite (especially red mite) free, ensuring she has good nutrition and access to water, then she will do the bringing up of the babies.

Of course, its not quite that easy as you do need to understand the lifecycle of an egg to chick, what a broody does and how you can help her. Much of what applies to chicks hatched in an incubator still applies. The chicks need to receive chick crumbs - don't worry mum will be happy to eat them too - they need a safe source of water so that they don't drown or become chilled, and they must be protected from predators. Never underestimate the damage that rats will do to chicks and young birds. A hen cannot protect her brood from a determined attack.

PREPARE THE CHICK PEN BEFORE HATCHING