Broody Hen entering 3rd Week - What do i do?

[chemew]

Our broody hen has just completed her first two weeks of sitting and in entering her third. She only comes out of the nest box every other day or so. She's got food and water and occasionally I give her some scratch. The nest box is fairly clean.

My question is - once the chicks hatch, what do i do?

 

[GoChick]

The chicks should not have access to the layers feed - it has too much calcium, so get some chick feed. It is OK for the mom to eat the same food. Also get a waterer where they can't drown in. other than that, I usually let the mom take care of the chicks - some people separate the mom and chicks from the flock, i don't.
All I do is make sure the place where the broody is will be accessible to the chicks once they hatch - for example, they will not be able to climb a ramp or jump up a step. A good mom should be able to protect the chicks agains the rest of the flock.

good luck and have fun watching them!

 

[chemew]

Thank you for the reply - if you don't separate the chicks from the rest of the flock, how do you keep the older chickens from eating the chick's food?

 

[GoChick]

I give them all starter feed and leave oyster shell and crushed egg shells available for the layers so they can get the calcium they need. Also, if your layers are free ranging, they will get a bunch f he nutrition they need that way.

Good luck!