Broody hen on eggs, should I move nest? First timer!

[juliejohnson805]

She is pretty feisty so I think she’ll take care of them. How will she move them them out of nest? I could move her and chicks to a nest in coop but on floor. They would have to walk down ramp to get out

 

[herdingcats]

THANK YOU everyone!
So if I understand correctly, if I put her and the nest in a kennel, I should close it so she is in there all the time/none of her flock can get in? The only other larger kennel we have is too big to fit in our coop, and due to predator risk and colder weather at night now (Pacific NW, quickly creeping towards fall) I don't think I'd want to leave her outside even in the kennel, in our run overnight. I will definitely clean the kennel regularly, but my main question is if I should let her out at all/keep the kennel open, or just shut her in it. She would have enough space to walk a few steps, turn around, have water & feed by the door, but not much. The door is propped open by a small log, and as you might see in the pic, our feeder tubes are right in front. There would be room to shut the door but she would see "traffic as usual" which she seems used to, given that her current nest is located right next to their coop ladder.

Here's a pic of what was our temporary setup, but all the hens took to it and I figured why spend $$ if they are happy with what they have (yes, that's an old broken sled wired to the top of the crates, to keep them from roosting on the edge of the crates). The red kennel below is what I could keep her in; the only other option is a much larger dog kennel which would be in our garage for safety, plus it's too big to go in the run.

 

[50-45-1]

I was thinking your crate was on its side.

 

[herdingcats]

View attachment 1523273 We have had a broody sitting and found 2 chicks this afternoon. They’re early by my count. There are 4 more eggs still in nest. I’m debating on whether I need to move them (mom, eggs and babies) to a safer spot. Her nest is off the ground so I know chicks will have to be moved after couple days.
I have an enclosed area within the run so they will be separate but still a part of the flock.

SOOO cute! It will be hard to part with them! Our roo is a Black split to lavender Orpington, so if we get any lavender orps, I will probably keep those. I will share pics for sure

 

[herdingcats]

I understand the concern! I hope for sure now someone chimes in. Again, just personal choice, but I had the ability to fence momma and babies off because our rooster was a meany and he tried to go after them. It kept her calm too- she wasn't as on edge every time another bird came near. She just wanted to have a place to take a dirt bath in the pen! I shut them up at night when she was still on the nest to keep predators out.

P.S. Definitely want to see pics when this is all said and done

For sure! Will post asap

 

[herdingcats]

I was thinking your crate was on its side.

I guess I wasn't clear. They are actually stacking storage crates from Target, but I used a Sawzall to convert them to "milk" style crates by cutting an entrance in one of the 4 walls. They are not on their sides; there are 3 walls + the one with entrance. Edit: they are wired together and secured to the wall of the coop.

 

[50-45-1]

Your dog crate is smaller than i was thinking. I was thinking the larger wire dog cages.
I definately would not close her in that small one. Not enough room for her when she is off the nest to eat and drink once per day.