After they hatch

[old mama hen]

We have a hen that has gone broody. The eggs are due to hatch on the 26th. I am guessing that we should give her an extra day or so. That isn't the question I have though. The nest is about 3 feet off the ground. If she hatches out how will the chicks get out of the nest without being hurt. I have thought of moving the nest, but afraid this would disturb the hen and would hate her to leave the nest. Know that some of the eggs are fertile as one was broken in the nest today and it had a partially formed chick.

 

[bobbi-j]

I would leave her alone. Mine was in a nest about 2 1/2 feet off the ground, her babies hatched and DH took her and the babies out of the nest and removed the unhatched eggs. Others have said that the babies will be fine jumping (or being pushed?) out of the nest if they have something soft to land on. I look at it this way - wood ducks push their babies out of their nests high up in trees, and the little fluff balls don't get hurt. Baby chicks are roughly the same size and have a lot less further to fall, so they should be fine.

 

[old mama hen]

Thanks for the info. About 2 days to go. Hoping they all hatch.