Broody hen and some questions

[Souperchicken]

After 2 years of having chickens, I have my first real broody(Sweet Pea - BO/Ameraucana mix)! I want to ask a few things.... I have 8 hens in one pen with 2 nest boxes. She is setting in one of the boxes so only one is left for laying in. Today I found a hen sharing the box with her and wondering if this will cause Sweet pea to leave the nest? Also the nest is about 3 1/2 feet off the ground with a steep ladder. I think the babies may fall out and will move them after they hatch. Can I keep the chicks in the pen with the other hens once the hatch? Do I need to move them to another pen? Is there anything else I need to do? Thanks in advance!

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Your best bet is to the move the broody to a private pen; large enough for her to get out and eat, drink, and poop. If you leave her where she is, the other hens are going to climb in with her to lay their eggs; possibly crush the eggs your broody is setting; and, unless you've marked the broodies eggs, you'll have a mismatched hatch.

Good luck

 

[Souperchicken]

I didn't think of the eggs getting broken. I will probably move her tonight then.