At this time of year, the thought of tiny chicks fill many people's minds. Hatching and raising their own chickens is a lovely thought. There are articles and articles out there supporting chicken keepers using artificial incubators and brooders to hatch and raise chicks but we are more traditional. We have been told on more than one occasion that serious breeders don't use broody hens, that this is only for hobby breeders and amateurs. We wholeheartedly disagree. We believe it's possible for a smallholder to have a professional chicken breeding programme by using broody hens for incubation. We choose to utilise nature's way of rearing chicks and we consider the broody hen improves the rearing of chicks and the socialisation of the resulting birds.
OUR CHICKEN BREEDING BACKGROUND
My husband Hugh and I breed Buff Orpington's and we make use of the natural broody tendencies of this wonderful breed to incubate, hatch and raise the next generation of Orpingtons. This might be something that appeals to you if for no other reason than the joy of watching a broody hen scuttling along with tiny chicks running to keep up.
Many people will let their broody hen find a quiet spot in the coop, let her get on with it and let nature take its course. There's nothing wrong with this approach at all, but we know from our experience that it can be improved upon.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
