Frequently Asked Questions

Q What temperature do eggs need to be incubated at?

Eggs need to be incubated at 37.7 degrees Celsius. For more information, refer to the incubation section in your manual.

Q How soon after hatching should I remove the chicks from the incubator?

Chicks should be removed from the incubator once they are strong and mobile. Their feathers should look soft and fluffy after having lost the wet appearance. This typically should take around 12 to 24 hours.

Q How do I look after newly hatched chicks?

It is imperative that newly hatched chicks are kept warm, either under a broody hen or with lights. Refer to the section on brooding in your manual.

Q What happens if I’m not sure what to do or things seem to be going wrong?

Phone our Helpline Number displayed on the incubator and brooder.

Q How can I sex our chicks?

With this strain it is easy. The lemon ones are males and the brown ones are females.

Q Why do the eggs need to remain still before they hatch?

It is important that the eggs remain stationary for the last three days of incubation as the chicks are actually breathing from the air sack at the blunt end of the egg. If the eggs are bumped and rotated too much, the chicks can actually suffocate inside the eggs.

Q How long do we need to keep the chicks under lights?

Chicks need to be kept under lights for at least 6 – 8 weeks, depending upon the weather. The chicks will utilize the lights less and less as their feathers grow.

Q Are we allowed to keep hens in the backyard?

Most councils do allow a certain number of hens to be kept in gardens, however cockerels are not usually allowed. We would recommend you check with your council as to the regulations in your area.

Q What changes will we see in our chickens while we have them for the programme?

The first change will be from egg to chicken, then the change from ‘wet and soggy’ to ‘cute and fluffy’, followed by

the feather development and social structure.

Q How many toes do chickens have?

Chickens have four toes in total, Three toes at the front of the foot and one toe at the back. Their toes are especially adapted for gripping the perch. The muscular system works like a lock to enable the hen to sleep on her perch. There are some exceptions. Silkies and some other breeds have 5 toes.

Q Where do hens sleep?

Hens don’t actually sleep in nests as many people think. Nests are for laying and sitting on eggs. Hens actually go to roost at night on perches. Perches are rods of wood, rounded on the edges to make it comfortable for the hens to hold on to.

Q How long do chickens live?

Chickens can live happily in your backyard for at least 6 to 8 years.

Q Do I need a rooster to get eggs from my hens?

No you do not need a rooster to get eggs. Roosters add character to your flock of hens, but unless you wish to breed them, roosters are not necessary to the production of eggs.

Q Do chickens make good pets?

Chickens that have been hand raised especially make fantastic pets. They add colour and character to your garden as well as being productive.

Q How long does the incubation process of a chick take?

Standard sized chicks take 21 days to incubate. Bantams and other types of poultry vary in their incubation times. You will find a list of incubation times in our Fact Sheets. Did you know the heart starts beating at day 2?

Q Where do ‘supermarket’ eggs come from?

Eggs supplied to the supermarket come from three main sources.

Intensive Egg Production (Battery Hens)
Barn Housed Hens (Deep Litter)
Free Range Hens

Details of these commercial productions are in our Fact Sheets.

Q Which came first the chicken or the egg?

A very puzzling question answered simply by a five year old “The chicken of course, because eggs don’t have legs!”

Q Why are some yolks a deeper yellow than others?

The colour of the yolk depends upon the feed given to the chickens. If chickens are fed fresh greens, the yolk colour will be a strong yellow.