We all do these things differently. The way I look at it there is no right way where every other way is wrong, there are just different ways we go about it. We all have different experiences, goals, and set-ups so it’s possible one method may be an advantage to you over another, but you don’t have to do it any specific way. I understand that can be frustrating when it’s your first time and you just want to know what to do and then somebody gives you options.
1)they are under a broody hen do I let them hatch under her or remove them from the coop? I do not have a brooder because she sat on them he whole time (I forgot about hatching). I tried to move the eggs but then she stopped sitting so I moved them back. They are in a nesting box about 2 feet off the ground will it hurt them if they fall/jump down from there?
I’ve seen a broody hen get her chicks down from a ten feet high hay loft, she said jump and they did, then bounced up and ran to her. So a two feet fall, nothing to worry about. However, how big is your nest? Is the broody hen sitting very close to an edge? I once had a broody hatch in a cat litter bucket, the top was 7-1/2” x 11-1/2”. The first chicks to hatch sometimes like to climb up on Mama’s back while she is hatching the later ones. That’s really normal and real cute. But in that small nest with the hen sitting right at the edge, when a chick fell off it sometimes missed the nest. I picked chicks up four different times, probably the same chick a few of those, and put them back in the nest with Mama. That was a three feet fall and none were injured. As long as your hen is not sitting right on the edge of the nest you shouldn’t have to worry, that’s the only I’ve seen that. I retired that nest after that hatch was over.
2) Do I need to separate the new chicks? I already have some about 8 weeks old in the cook with my chickens and I was wondering if I needed to put these new ones in a separate coop.
I don’t and I often have adults and chicks of varying ages in the flock. A lot of people do. I leave my broody hen alone until she brings the chicks off the nest. I put food and water on the coop floor where the chicks can get to them. That’s all I do except clean out the nest after she brings them off. I trust my broody to take care of everything else.
I don’t know what your coop looks like, that can have an effect, but my broodies normally keep the chicks on the coop floor for a couple of days before they take the chicks outside. After that she takes them out every morning and they spend all day outside, coming back into the coop at dark where she keeps them on the coop floor.
3) if I don't how to I make sure the new chicks are warm do I need to put a heat lamp in the coop or will momma hen keep them warm?
The broody hen will keep them warm. Do not add supplemental heat in any form. That’s a lot more likely to cause problems than help anything and the chicks just don’t need it.
4) do I need to be home when they are hatching, reason being I will probably not be so do I need someone there incase they have problems or anything?
What a question. You are dealing with living animals, it is always possible there could be problems. It happens but it is fairly rare. I’ve had hatches over and the broody hen bring the chicks off the nest within 24 hours of the first one hatching. I’ve had hatches drag on for over three full 24-hour days. You just don’t know how long the hatch will take or when it will be over.
I personally do not spend a lot of time down there when the hen is hatching. I trust my broodies to take care of things and they practically always do. I interfere as little as possible as I find the more I interfere the more harm I cause. Of course I’ll check on them a little more when a hatch is underway, but if I need to leave for the day I will.
The one time I think it is important to check on them is when it is getting dark and the broody has them off the nest for the first few nights. Again it’s rare but I’ve had a broody hen go where a chick could not follow. Say one of the chicks can’t figure out the pop door. Or the chick gets behind a fence and neither the chick not the hen can remember the door or gate they have been using all day is still there. That’s the only time I’ve ever had to help out, at bedtime. Other than a few rare instances at bedtime my broody hens pretty much justify my faith in them.
A lot of people isolate during incubation, hatch, or while raising them. I don’t see anything wrong with that it’s just not the way I do it. Good luck!
