Broody Hatched Her First Chick (early) - How to prep the coop?

[Aunt Mildred]

I bought my Broody hen some fertile eggs - didnt expect them to hatch until at least thursday. Came home today and a a little head is peeping out at me from under my hen. I have raised many chicks from the hatchery (day olds) but never tried to support a hen raising her own chicks. How do I prepare the coop?

I assume I need to get some chick feed in there but I am afraid the big girls will eat it. I will get a small waterer in there as well. Coop is only for two chickens (3'x3') with hardware cloth floor. Opens out to a full enclosed (2x4 welded wire) run with a sand base. There is a bridge from the side of the coop (elevated) and ladder down from the bridge into the run.

I am going to put some smaller mesh around the inside of the run to keep the little guys from walking through. I figured I would close momma and the chicks in the house for a week with some chick starter, waterer, and some pellets for the big chick.

I will need to let my other hen in at night to roost.


Anything I am missing????? Thanks in advance

 

[Why and Dotte]

The chick feed will be ok for mama to eat, if it's medicated I'd keep it away from the other hens. I kept my hen on the ground in a rabbit pen for a while until she was ready to bring them out, I felt the chicks were safer in there.
Just provide food and water and mama will take care of the rest.