11 more days until hatch day and I have questions

[NicInNC]

When should I move mom and the eggs away from the other chickens? I've found her off the eggs and on other eggs but I candled again night before last and there was movement in all 3 eggs, so I know they're alive.

Also, once the babies are born, how long do I keep mom inside with them?

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I block mine off about a week before hatch so the others will leave her alone. For some reason, laying hens prefer to lay where there is a sitting hen. Sigh.

I put mine in a broody pen in the coop with the others. In the past I have used a large dog crate. I now have a chicken wire screen that keeps the mama and babies away from the others, but where they can all still see each other. I leave mama and babies in there until they are all really mobile. That takes a couple of days. After that I let mama and babies out with everyone else. They are fine. Nobody wants to mess with a cranky mama hen.

 

[NicInNC]

Quote:
You're not kidding me! Two of my laying hens keep laying eggs in the same nest as Cloudy (my sitting hen).

What a GREAT idea keeping them out there with the others, but blocking them off.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Yeah, I keep pulling fresh eggs out of the nest box, much to my broody's displeasure. I get pecked every night when I pull the new ones out.

I built a fence out of 1x4 and chicken wire that fits up under the nest boxes. It gives mama and babies an area that is approximately 2'x4' to zip around in. I leave the fence up all the time for a couple of days and then put it up at night for several weeks. It just gives the chicks a chance to get stronger without being pecked to pieces by the other chickens. If I ever rebuild it I will likely do it out of hardware cloth. Some of the tiniest chicks can get through the chicken wire.

Good luck with your hatch!