Backing up & scratching ground?

[CandylandRanch]

My hen hatched her brood of three about 4 days ago. Since yesterday she's scratching or digging like, making small clucks and walking backwards, but she's not fully standing while doing this.. She hasn't done much since she's had them.. Maybe she's going a little stir crazy? The chicks were peeping really loud for about half hour or so in one instance and they kept trying to get under her to warm up but she wasn't really letting them? Any ideas? I hope she doesn't neglect the chicks...

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like she could be trying to teach them how to look for food, but I would keep a close eye on her to make sure she is letting them underneath her periodically to keep warm. Generally, hens will take them out and about about 3 days, look for food and water, then back in to rest and get warm. If she isn't doing her job well, you need to make sure that you have a brooder and heat lamp available. Broody hens can get sick, have worms, mites, and other problems from all of the stress of being broody, so make sure she isn't sick or neglecting them.