Broody hen's chicks getting kicked out?

[jim s]

I have had a broody hen sitting on eggs for awhile now, 21 days I suppose, and yesterday I found a chick dead on the coop floor and another one this morning. She is in a nest box about 12 inches off the coop floor. Is there anything I can do to keep the other eggs/chicks from the same fate? I work during the day, so I am not around to check, I will try to take them out as soon as I hear or see a chick. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Is it possible to incubate the eggs until they hatch? Will I cause more harm than good? Thanks in advance.

 

[kasey08]

maybe put something up to block the opening, but i dont think that 12 in would be tall enough to kill the chick!?!?!

 

[jim s]

Maybe like a little chick balcony. I have a roost in front of the nest boxes, so a balcony would be easy to do. the things we do for chicks.