All my newbie hen hatched chick questions in one place

[wormtowndavis]

I've been reading as many threads as I can, but still have questions. So, rathe than hijacking other threads with my add ons, I figured the easiest way woul be to put them all in one place and hope for the best. Forgive me if there is repetition.

Some background:
I currently have 3hens sitting on 2 clutches of eggs (2 are doing what we jokingly call co-parenting). There are 5 eggs in each nest that I've candles hopingthat they're as close in age as possible. Today I went out and checked and 1 chick has hatched. So here are my questions;

the hens are currently in the nest boxes that are about 3' offthe ground. I know that moving hem now would be I'll advised. Thataid, he chicks need to leave the nest within abou 3 days of the first one hatching. Can I move the hen and her chicks in a day or 2 to a box on the floo of the coop? I have a place that any unhatchex eggs can go, in case I misread the candling.

I have water available to the hens of course, but it's ip on cinder blocks to keep shavings out of it. Do I need to provide a diffeent watered for them? What about food?

The coop door is about 6" off the ground. Should I make a ramp?

Any other suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!!!!

 

[wormtowndavis]

Good gravy! They typos! That's what I get for posting from my iPod...

 

[tamelroy]

I know most move the eggs and the mama around day 20 or when they hear a peep.

if it is 3 feet off the ground it may be to high for the chicks. And they have to be on a starter feed too so you would need food and water their level.

When she feels she is done with the hatch she is gonna want the babies to move around with her so she can show them the ropes. I am not sure how long though they wait for that so you would want to be prepaired.

I hope someone with more experience can help you, I am just going by what I remembered reading.

Good luck, and congrats on the chicks!

 

[nyice]

I am going to follow this thread because we are in the same situation, first time for us AND our broody cochin (looks like 3 out of 4 are developing)
luckily for us she is sitting on bought EE eggs and everyone else lays brown (and no roo)

 

[wormtowndavis]

This morning there are 2 chicks under my favorite hen! (It's ok to play favorites right?) Hubby is off to look for some kind of box that we can put on the floor of the coop to hopefully move everyone into.