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Hi. If all goes according to plan, we could have up to 12 hatchlings with us by next Wednesday. I'd like to get the run 'baby proof' before then but I'm not sure what I need to do and would appreciate any advice please.
The broody hen is currently very happy inside a large cardboard box which is in turn inside a metal animal cage, which is inside a secure area with floor to ceiling chicken wire, inside an outbuilding with a concrete floor - so hopefully safe! Questions:
1. I suspect the gaps in the animal cage could be large enough for new (banty) chicks to get through, so I've pushed cardboard along the edges to prevent this - is this OK?
2. The door of the cage has a kind of lip along the bottom which I feel may cause problems as they start to move around and explore - I assume I'm safe enough removing the door so it's all at the same level?
3. The nest itself started life with wood shavings, but has been extended by the broody dragging straw around. The rest of the cage floor is covered in straw - will new chicks be OK on straw? The floor outside the cage is concrete and I'd intended to throw straw down there too - is this a good idea or should I leave it, or use something else?
4. I read something somewhere that said you should put food and water somewhere that early hatchers can't reach it but the hen can... not sure how I can arrange this? Unless they're assuming the hen will leave the nest to eat and drink while her eggs are hatching? It also said to put a dish of water / coffee jar lids of water out for the chicks - yes? Inside the cage presumably? And chick crumbs - will the hen also eat these, or do I continue to provide her with her normal diet?
5. Once they're ready to go outside (after what, 2 or 3 days?), they'll have to cross a small gully in the floor which runs the length of the building along the front of their pen. I'm planning on placing a piece of wood or something across it to make a bridge - will this be safe?
Sorry, I'm sure these are all common sense issues but I'm a bit of a worrier, especially when it's someone else's eggs/chicks at stake... Thx
The broody hen is currently very happy inside a large cardboard box which is in turn inside a metal animal cage, which is inside a secure area with floor to ceiling chicken wire, inside an outbuilding with a concrete floor - so hopefully safe! Questions:
1. I suspect the gaps in the animal cage could be large enough for new (banty) chicks to get through, so I've pushed cardboard along the edges to prevent this - is this OK?
2. The door of the cage has a kind of lip along the bottom which I feel may cause problems as they start to move around and explore - I assume I'm safe enough removing the door so it's all at the same level?
3. The nest itself started life with wood shavings, but has been extended by the broody dragging straw around. The rest of the cage floor is covered in straw - will new chicks be OK on straw? The floor outside the cage is concrete and I'd intended to throw straw down there too - is this a good idea or should I leave it, or use something else?
4. I read something somewhere that said you should put food and water somewhere that early hatchers can't reach it but the hen can... not sure how I can arrange this? Unless they're assuming the hen will leave the nest to eat and drink while her eggs are hatching? It also said to put a dish of water / coffee jar lids of water out for the chicks - yes? Inside the cage presumably? And chick crumbs - will the hen also eat these, or do I continue to provide her with her normal diet?
5. Once they're ready to go outside (after what, 2 or 3 days?), they'll have to cross a small gully in the floor which runs the length of the building along the front of their pen. I'm planning on placing a piece of wood or something across it to make a bridge - will this be safe?
Sorry, I'm sure these are all common sense issues but I'm a bit of a worrier, especially when it's someone else's eggs/chicks at stake... Thx
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