It’s best to keep a hen with fertile eggs under her in a separate place, but that’s not always possible. Personally, I like to keep my birds together, so this box is a nice solution. I found this pic somewhere and saved it so I could incorporate the idea into my coop. Why is this Box Important? Sometimes other hens can disturb a nest of fertile eggs causing them to break. Other hens may quit laying if they are discouraged to enter the community nest area by a hen with eggs under her. Newly hatched chicks may get injured or even killed by other members of the flock. I like having the wire top hinged. It’s nice and super easy to move a broody hen from the community nest area and has the option to close the lid as hatch day approaches.
The rule of thumb is starter crumbles or pellets until the first egg. Young birds are often uninterested in table scraps, but there are a few other nutritious feed sources they will eat… and actually like. After the first 3 weeks, it’s just fine to introduce a bit of grass, this is a good way to keep chicks busy, especially if they are beginning to peck each other. Just make sure to sprinkle grit around to help with digestion. At about 4 months old, I introduce hemp seed and rolled oats just to add a little extra nutrients to my young pullets diet. For no particular reason other than they like chicken scratch, I add that too. I don’t recommend adding this mix to their starter feed, they will only make a mess trying to pick out all the good stuff. I always feed supplements and treats in a separate hanging feeder. Liquid supplements mixed in their feed is certainly a plus, and I do use them for my Silkies, but they like hemp seed better and it’s a great source of protein containing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. However, it should be fed sparingly because of the high-fat content.
Hemp SeedRolled Oats
As a feeding guideline, I feed four young pullets hemp seed, rolled oats, and scratch in these amounts… 2 heaping tablespoons of rolled oats per day 2 heaping tablespoons of scratch per day 2 tablespoons of hemp seed every other day. Hemp Seed is usually sold by the pound at feed stores that sell lose bulk feed, and rolled oats too! My pullets are now 7 months old and laying daily. This is the only flock I’ve supplemented with hemp seed and the first time I’ve had flawless perfect first eggs.
It’s best to keep a hen with fertile eggs under her in a separate place, but that’s not always possible. Personally, I like to keep my birds together, so this box is a nice solution. I found this pic somewhere and saved it so I could incorporate the idea into my coop.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 