Broody hens and chicks

[Gallagher]

Can not believe it but I have two hens on a total of 11 eggs and Tuesday next wlll be three weeks, so I am expecting chicks soon. I have some sudden worries.
I have them on wood shavings and wonder how in the world I am going to keep them on newspaper over the shaving for a week when they are in a hen house with 11 other grown hens and rooster? I do not want to separate them but must I? I grew up with hens and never separated them, but then again they were not caged and wandered the farm at will. Also they are in a large pen with the others so I suppose I need to get some chick feed for them, I will get a lot as I know the others will want some. Is this correct? Will they be able to get up and down the ramp from day one with their moms? Usually they are all out, but there is a fox about so for the next few weeks they will be penned up. Any thoughts on this. I have not planned ahead as I have not been too successful (or my hens have not) at brooding, but now it has been so long I think we will be successful, any thought s would be good. Thanks ahead of thime. bg

 

[annanimal]

You should give all the chickens in the pen chick starter for the chicks sake. If you could i would put them in another little pen for the first couple of days because they could die if they eat wood chips. The mom will probably make a little nest on the ground for them so they dont have to go up the ramp. Good luck.