Hen with new hatched chicks
Not what your thinking, when I say chicks I’m not referring to cute bikini clad girls. I’m talking about keeping your flock stocked with young pulleys to replace your old wore out hens.
No matter how attached you may become to your egg laying girls, they are worn out and need to be replaced about every 2 or 3 years. If the loss of some of your old hens is bothersome try thinking about how good a hot bowl of home made chicken noddle soup will be on a cold winter day.
Equipment needed will depend on the hatching method you choose to use. The small flock owner may want to use the tried and true easy ‘All natural’ process.
1 – Broddy hen
1 – Nest Box
6-8 Fertilized eggs
Place eggs in nest box, place hen on eggs, wait 18 – 22 days for eggs to hatch.
**Note that no incubator or brooder is needed. Hen will hatch eggs and keep chicks warm.
**She will teach them where to find water, what and how to eat food you provide.
Broody hen How to do that
incubator w/egg turner
Incubator Hatching University of Minnesota
Incubator method cost much more but may be preferred if your hatching more than a few eggs. You will need a incubator capable of hatching the number of eggs you want to hatch, a brooder to keep the chicks warm until they fully feather, as well as water and feeders that will be used in your brooder.
Initial cost will be rather expensive. Even a smallish incubator can cost $35.00 or more. Add to that heat lamps, feeders, waterer’s and you can easily be out $200.00 dollars or more. Keep in mind this will be a one time investment and if properly cared for will last many years.
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Ive raised chickens for years and always had a good turn out from letting my broody hens incubate their own eggs.Thanks for posting!!