Thanks, we were thinking the same (mother would protect the babies). I attached some plywood scraps around the opening to provide a safety barrier, should keep the babies in and the older chickens can get in and out.
One of my hens has been sitting on some eggs for about a week or so. I checked on her this morning and found 4 baby chics. Our chickens are 5 years old, but these are our first babies.
Not only was I not prepared, I failed to do any research and didn't have a clue about what to do.
My first...