Broody hatching in nest boxes???

[sunnie7]

I have 3 broody hens right now I gave up on trying to break them all (again) so I let them sit on a couple eggs each. They are hatching right now do I need to move them out of the nest boxes since they are high up, do they need to be moved to the ground? I want momma hens to raise them and I’m hoping they will protect them from the rest of the flock.

 

[Kellyjenny]

Yes I think if they're too high up you have a chance of the chicks falling but let me try to find you somebody with more experience okay. @Kiki can you please help.

 

[MaryTheChickenLover]

I would move them. There isn't enough space in the nesting box for the chicks to live and they might fall out and hurt themselves.

 

[sunnie7]

Can I move them if some of the eggs haven’t hatched yet? If one is pipping can I carefully move it? We are leaving in a couple of hours and going to be gone overnight.

 

[50-45-1]

They should be moved down after chicks are hatched.
A chick that falls out, cannot get back up, mom may not get down if she has other chicks or eggs hatching.
Leaving the chick to chill or be picked on by other adult chickens in the flock who may kill the chick easily when mother hen is not there to protect it.
Place chick crumble and a chick waterer bown on the floor. (Chicks can drown in adult chicken waterers.)
If you coop is raised and there is a ramp, watch as chicks get stranded under a ramp outside as it takes a couple weeks for them to figure out how it works.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

They should be moved down after chicks are hatched.
A chick that falls out, cannot get back up, mom may not get down if she has other chicks or eggs hatching.
Leaving the chick to chill or be picked on by other adult chickens in the flock who may kill the chick easily when mother hen is not there to protect it.
Place chick crumble and a chick waterer bown on the floor. (Chicks can drown in adult chicken waterers.)
If you coop is raised and there is a ramp, watch as chicks get stranded under a ramp outside as it takes a couple weeks for them to figure out how it works.

I agree. Some chicks don’t come out from under their moms for about at least 12 (but can be more like 24+) hours I would say. And as long as there are ledges on your next boxes it should be fine. So they should be moved anytime after hatching but not before! I don’t think you should move them before hatching or else you may stress out the mom and she may not want to sit anymore and the chicks/eggs could die. So there is more risk in moving than not.

 

[sunnie7]

They should be moved down after chicks are hatched.
A chick that falls out, cannot get back up, mom may not get down if she has other chicks or eggs hatching.
Leaving the chick to chill or be picked on by other adult chickens in the flock who may kill the chick easily when mother hen is not there to protect it.
Place chick crumble and a chick waterer bown on the floor. (Chicks can drown in adult chicken waterers.)
If you coop is raised and there is a ramp, watch as chicks get stranded under a ramp outside as it takes a couple weeks for them to figure out how it works.

Since I’m going to be gone until late tomorrow should I move the one broody and her chick that hatched to the floor and put her other 2 eggs under another broody? Or I have a large dog crate I could put them in

 

[Yardmom]

Don't put them with another broody if the eggs are not at the same stage. Candle the eggs to see if they will hatch. Move eggs and all if you move her to the dog crate. I have had mixed results with moving a hen part way through hatching. The chicks don't have to eat or drink the first couple days. How long ago did the first chick hatch?

 

[sunnie7]

Don't put them with another broody if the eggs are not at the same stage. Candle the eggs to see if they will hatch. Move eggs and all if you move her to the dog crate. I have had mixed results with moving a hen part way through hatching. The chicks don't have to eat or drink the first couple days. How long ago did the first chick hatch?

It hatched sometime during the night or today.

 

[sunnie7]

Don't put them with another broody if the eggs are not at the same stage. Candle the eggs to see if they will hatch. Move eggs and all if you move her to the dog crate. I have had mixed results with moving a hen part way through hatching. The chicks don't have to eat or drink the first couple days. How long ago did the first chick hatch?

I think my best bet is going to let everyone be until I get back….