separate breeding coop

Valda · **Joined:** Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:31 pm **Posts:** 2

Is it advisable to have a separate breeding coop that is away from the main coop for breeding so the hens can sit in peace if so how will they go when it’s time to put them and their chicks back in the main coop?

Roova · **Posted:** Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:04 am

Generally you don't put a hen and chicks back in the main coop with adults for a few reasons..

One is they are too small to defend themselves against adullt chooks. Even when they seem like they're big enough to be with them, they can lack the confidence to stand up for themselves.

Two is they need to be fed age appropriate food and you can't do that when adults can access it too. They should be on starter crumbles until roughly 6 weeks and grower crumbles until closer to laying age. When they are nearly laying they can go in with the adults and eat layer pellets then. Starter and grower crumbles contain coccidiostat medication to help prevent the chickens getting cocci. It is not recommended to eat eggs from adults who have been eating this. (Don't worry about the mum as she isn't laying and will only be eating it while she has the chicks. (Mostly they are with the babies for about 6 weeks before wanting to leave them).

Layer pellets have higher protein and calcium to help a chook which is producing an egg every day and can adversly affect the growth rate of a chicken if they only have this to eat. You don't want to have their future egg laying years affected for the sake of a keeping them separate for 16 or so weeks or so.

IMO

Valda · **Joined:** Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:31 pm **Posts:** 2

Wow now thats help I thank you I would have put them in and not know any different.

THANK YOU

timewarp · **Joined:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:13 pm **Posts:** 385

may i add to Roova's exellent answer , that on weaning mum she can go back with the layers , and you have the perfect setup to keep her n chicks seprate , hence less stress on both

with a bonus less chirping n cackling to contend with [smilie=a_cookiemonster.gif]

. cheers n beers gary

Tribe of Geese · **Joined:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:05 pm **Posts:** 5

I have seperate breeding pens to all my show waterfowl I think you have too

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