The series so far has described how to create the ideal conditions to ensure your maximum clutch size is achieved. In this fourth instalment we’ll share our tips for supporting the hatch and common problems that could arise.
THE DAYS LEADING UP TO HATCH
In part 3 of this series we recommended putting some extra eggs in an incubator on the same day that the broody hen starts sitting on her eggs so that your clutch sizes are maximised.
Here’s the boring maths part! We aim for 12 chicks per broody hen. Although each of our Orpington hens is capable of supporting up to 15 chicks, they can only safely cover 12 eggs during the incubation period. Given that we have an average hatch rate of approximately 80% we allocate 15 eggs per hen. We give 12 eggs to our broody hens and put 3 eggs in an incubator. This should give us 12 hatched chicks per hen. These numbers relate to our Orpington large fowl birds and may need to be altered for other breeds.
At days 7 and 14 we will candle the eggs, discard any that are not fertile replacing any non-viable eggs under the broody hen with viable eggs from the incubator.
MONITORING THE HATCH
The wonderful thing about working with broody hens to incubate, hatch and raise your chicks is that they take all of the effort out of raising the chicks. They make sure they’re fed, watered and kept warm and dry. Having said that, we would recommend that hatching is monitored closely as broody hens have a mind of their own and it’s at this point that things can go wrong.
Bu hikaye The Country Smallholder dergisinin May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Country Smallholder dergisinin May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Miniature Jersey Cattle-the only two in the UK?
Sally Crozer hopes there will be more
You can help protect baby birds this breeding season
The RSBP says you can help all nesters but particularly watch out for ground nesting birds many of which are under threat
Smallholding profile: Pocket House Studio
Helen Babbs visits a thriving Hebridean croft and weaving studio
Grow Your Own refreshing brews
Mel Thomas says there are so many possibilities from your own back garden
Making the most of fresh eggs and summer fruit
Henrietta Balcon celebrates the season of abundance
How to deal with Pests the Natural Way
Lee Senior says create a healthy predator-prey balance in your garden
How to create a hen-friendly garden
The British Hen Welfare Trust share their top tips to strike a perfect balance.
Do chickens really experience empathy?
This month, Paul Donovan turns his attention to the psychological side of poultry behaviour, and investigates whether hens sense empathy – a trait indicative of mammals.
Care of the fleece begins at shearing time
Claire Boley gives a guide to sorting and storing a fleece so it’s in good condition for spinning
We're going on an alpaca walking experience
Cathy Darcey & Stuart Woolley share their journey with alpacas – and other animals – to make a business out of something they love doing