long time between chicks

clucker · **Joined:** Sun Oct 28, 2012 2:43 pm **Posts:** 5

I went away for a couple of days, only to get back to a broody chook with about 18 or so eggs... eek!
So, 5 have hatched, the first 3 days before the second, and similar gaps between. There are still quite a few eggs to hatch.
I am taking them and rearing them myself...
So, what Id like some advice on I guess is... Is it ok to put chicks of varying ages together?
As you can tell, Im pretty new to this, its my secong batch of chick rearing. Last year, there was a definte gap between clutches, so I seperated them.
But this year, it looks like it might be spead out a bit.
Also, Im glad its not so hot here on the south coast nsw, cause my chook who is sitting on the eggs, is doing such a good job, but with no outcome of chicks to look after... poor little love!
How long can I let her sit without being too cruel? She does get off time to time, but I cant just let her keep sitting forever!
Can anyone give me advice on how I can tell how far along the would be?
Some easy candling tips would be good.. on a home made device

thanks

enigma01au · **Joined:** Sun May 24, 2009 4:27 pm **Posts:** 11

Is there a reason you couldn't let mumma raise some of the chicks?
I've had a similar problem here this year, with nests having various aged eggs in them. So I've let mumma chook hatch the first lot, and then when she's gotten off the nest and is looking after the chicks, I take the rest of the eggs and put them in the incubator. This way mumma gets the reward of her hard work, and it's not an issue for me to put the remaing chicks into the incubator / brooder when they finally do hatch.
I know it's not always possible, for whatever reasons, but I'd feel guilty if I took her babies away, after all the effort she's put in.

clucker · **Joined:** Sun Oct 28, 2012 2:43 pm **Posts:** 5

Thanks for your reply enigma.
Im only taking the chicks because there are so many, and spread apart age wise, other wise, when the first lot hatches, she would hop off.... although now, I have 4 chooks sitting, 2 in each catcher ( I use old lawn mower catchers, plenty of room, but seriously... they are egar huh!)

This happened last year too, some other chooks joined in, then they fought over the chicks that I left there. :-?

So now I have chicks who are just starting to get pin feathers, and fluffy ones all intogether.... and I looked today, and have more being hatched as I type!
I only have one heat light. How long do they need the heat light for.
I know Im being a bit lazy asking these questions, as I could gogle it, but personal responses are nicer, and always ,ore informative :-D

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