Have a healthy hatch!

Lisa Mancell, National Coordinator from Farmgate, gives her advice on how to prepare for hatching season

- Lisa Mancell

With prime hatching season just round the corner, now is the time to focus on preparing your hens and laying the foundations to give their chicks the best start in life.

You may be looking to replenish or grow your flock this spring and if you have a reliably broody hen and a cockerel, then the natural hatching route is the cheapest and most accessible way to achieve this. Five hens to one cockerel is about the right ratio to ensure optimum fertility. More than one cockerel means they will fight for the females and cause disturbance and often injury.

CARING FOR BROODY HENS

It is important to separate the broody hen to her own little coop (with nest box and run) in a quiet spot away from the rest of the flock. Ensure the coop is predator-proof, that their broody box is at least 40cm sq. and the floor is lined with short straw or wood shavings.