Broody hen, hatching imminent, advice please

[pontoosuc]

I take my broodies off twice a day for food and drink. They are still in nesting boxes.

The day before hatch, or if I hear cherping, I let her stay on them. If my other hens are curious I also have a nice piece
of 1x1 wire that I clip over the front of the box so they cannot jump in!

 

[Sjisty]

Once they are all hatched, she will leave the box with her brood. Then you need to make sure you have something for her and her babies to get into on the ground, since the little ones won't be able to jump back up into the box.