Broody barred rock hen

[bigz1983]

Hello everyone,

We had a barred rock hen go broody on us last Monday.
She went broody and sat on 3 eggs in a raised nesting box in our main 8'x8' coop.
So we relocated her and 3 eggs last Monday night into a small chicken coop that has a raised nesting spot with a ramp going straight out the door to the small enclosed run below it.
She has been faithful and setting fine.
My question is when the chicks hatch how do I keep them safe from the door and ramp?
Would it be best to block it off for a while to keep them from jumping out and falling?
How long would I need to worry about it?

 

[L1sa]

My BR hen has just finished hatching (last one hatched on Sunday) and she's in a small raised coop with ramp. For the first few days I blocked her in. I opened it up day before yesterday and the chicks started getting brave and different ones fell out all throughout the day!! They don't hurt themselves as its not far to the ground, but they couldn't get back up the ramp, so they just sat there and peeped loudly, so I just have to keep picking them up and shoving them back in!

Yesterday mumma and chicks all came out and spent the day outside, but at bedtime mumma went up the ramp and continuely called to them, but they couldn't get up still, so one by one I gently encouraged/ pushed/escorted them up the ramp! I'm guessing it will be a few days till they get the hang of it!

 

[bigz1983]

My BR hen has just finished hatching (last one hatched on Sunday) and she's in a small raised coop with ramp. For the first few days I blocked her in. I opened it up day before yesterday and the chicks started getting brave and different ones fell out all throughout the day!! They don't hurt themselves as its not far to the ground, but they couldn't get back up the ramp, so they just sat there and peeped loudly, so I just have to keep picking them up and shoving them back in!

Yesterday mumma and chicks all came out and spent the day outside, but at bedtime mumma went up the ramp and continuely called to them, but they couldn't get up still, so one by one I gently encouraged/ pushed/escorted them up the ramp! I'm guessing it will be a few days till they get the hang of it!

Ok so it takes a couple weeks for the chicks to figure out the ramp?

 

[50-45-1]

Without pictures of your setup, i would suggest putting the chick food and water up by the nest for the first couple days.
After that make sure the area directly below the ramp is cushoned with straw in case one falls.
I have 3 day old chicks now and thy stick pretty close to mom.
Just watch closely for the first few days, once they figure it out, no worries!

 

[L1sa]

Ok so it takes a couple weeks for the chicks to figure out the ramp?

Lol! I was out today and didn't get back until gone dark, so I thought I'd better go and check on them and Lo and behold there they all were peeping at the top of their little lungs while mum is at the top of the ramp calling for them!! So I just reached in and grabbed them one by one and threw them back under mum!

So in answer to your question, yes! It will take them a little while!

 

[bigz1983]

 

[bigz1983]

Without pictures of your setup, i would suggest putting the chick food and water up by the nest for the first couple days.
After that make sure the area directly below the ramp is cushoned with straw in case one falls.
I have 3 day old chicks now and thy stick pretty close to mom.
Just watch closely for the first few days, once they figure it out, no worries!

I modified the ramp today and put a guard rail on one side and made a landing. It has extra traction boards. Will that help?

 

[bigz1983]

I decided to move to the bottom part in a plastic tote with a hole cut out the side so when the chicks hatch the will be level with the ground.

Now the issue is she keeps pooping in the tote.
Her food and water dish are outside of the tote but she seems to lazy to go out to poop.

 

[50-45-1]

Once on awhile this happens.
I can only advise to clean it out each day or two.
What day are the eggs at now?

 

[bigz1983]

The eggs are at day 13