Broody hen and her hatchlings

[KingCluck45]

I have had chickens for 10+ years. I have always wanted to let a hen go broody and raise her chicks. So I finally got a good momma and everything fell into place. I had to take her from the coop and separate her because there were problems in the coop. (Which is kinda a different post) I made her a quiet dim nest enclosed in a corner of my garage. Fiona has done perfect and been very attentive. I tell her she's a natural. Today was day 21 and I heard peeping this morning. Tonight I replaced the water and food with ones that she can take her chicks to, she briefly got off her nest and got a drink that's how I got the picture. Two were hatched, one is in progress and the other 2 were added 18 hours later so I am hoping that doesn't mess them up. When she returned to her nest the one that was walking around got on her back and just kinda slipped into her. I hope she gives the other eggs a while longer. Here's my problem, tonight we notice there is smell of gasoline in the garage. We have searched, we took the cars out and it's still lingering. It might be my son's dirt bike but we can't move it right now. I am worried it might be too much for the chicks. But I also don't think moving her right now would be a good idea either. So I don't know what is best? I thought maybe I could try moving her when the babies hatch (sorry this is so long)

 

[nuthatched]

Do you have windows you can open?

 

[KingCluck45]

I do but it doesn't have a screen. But it is raining so maybe if I just crack it nothing will get in. Maybe I will go do that cause I am just laying in bed fretting about it.

 

[nuthatched]

I do but it doesn't have a screen. But it is raining so maybe if I just crack it nothing will get in. Maybe I will go do that cause I am just laying in bed fretting about it.

Can you put the brooder on a table so their above the fumes?

 

[KingCluck45]

I found a screen and it fit really surprised but I was only able to the get the window up about 7 inches. But the broody is maybe 15 feet from it so hopefully that will work.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'd throw a tarp over the bike, at least the side that faces the chicks, to help stop the fumes from going that direction. I might see if a small fan on low would help. Not at all on the chicks, but beside them, to draw fresh air toward them and push the exhaust air away.

 

[KingCluck45]

The tarp is a good idea, opened the doors this morning and told my son he is on Fiona watch while I ran to work. Hopefully we can get the dirt bike to the barn today. She was fine sitting on her nest I couldn't see any babies but her wings and feathers were moving a little so I assume that's good. I know not to move her right now but she is completely separated from the flock because I had too. I have a very nice rooster who treats his girls good. Not sure what my next move should be? I have heard a lot of different ideas.

 

[KingCluck45]

I got home from work and 3 babies have hatched when I went out she wasn't on her nest she was maybe 6 inches off in the direction of the food and water. 2 remaining eggs were in the nest. So I took my candler out and didn't move the eggs just held it up. One had a large dark spot and veins the other was harder to tell. She started getting upset and looking at me so I gently picked her up and place her on the nest and the babies all ran back to her. I don't know how long she was off they weren't really warm but they weren't cold. Should I just let her take care of it? Or take the remaining eggs and incubate them separate.

 

[KingCluck45]

I went out and one of the chicks died. It was in the nest it looked perfect but at tail there were some intestines out. Could mom have done that?

 

[KingCluck45]

I don't know how long she had been off the nest yesterday but she had definitely switched over to taking care of the babies. There was 1 left and yesterday would have been day 21 for it. But she didn't sit on it. So last night I candled and saw movement got out my incubator and put the egg in, today is day 22 there is nothing happening. Will it need another day since yesterday she wasn't on the nest? I don't know if it will work but thought it might be worth a shot.