Chicken Is Hatching Eggs- in an upright 5 gallon pail?!?

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karinrose

karinrose

Hatching
5 Years
Apr 15, 2014
5
0
7
My broody chicken is hatching eggs RIGHT NOW in a 5 gallon Paul, half full of food, in the upright position. I guess I didn't think this through soon enough- how will the chicks get out? Should I take them out? When should I take them out? If I take them out, she won't be there to protect them because she'll still be sitting, won't she???? Help!
 
If today is there hatch date, assuming that outside of that bucket is where they are going to be living, take them out mid-day or tomorrow afternoon and place them on the floor. She should follow, but if she doesn't, put the chicks back in the bucket with her and wait a little while longer.
 
The first chick hatched this afternoon. Is it OK to wait until tomorrow afternoon for the rest of the eggs to hatch? What if they haven't hatched by then- leave them and take the hen out with the chicks? Thanks so much for your help!
 
Chicks will be fine without food and water for 48-72 hours after hatching without food and water, so yes you can wait until the afternoon to help them out. If there are eggs still hatching by then, leave her on the nest, unless she wants you to let her out.
 
I'd be concerned that there's not enough room in the bucket and she might step on them.
If at all possible set up another nest for her with better access, more room and maybe in an area fenced off from the rest of the flock to keep them out and her in.
Move her first then the eggs and chicks into the new nest area as quickly as possible....she won't like it but hopefully will settle back down with her chicks.
 

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