Broody hens nest box too high

[MotherPecker]

I had a broody hen and I was worried with the plastic tub that is about 5 inches high and in a nesting box that is about 8 inches off the ground that the chicks when hatched would get stuck and trampled. I read some of the other responses and I moved her in her tub out of the box into an inclosed area with a baby gate in the back of the hen house. She decided that was not ok and is not longer broody. Another hen has taken over her nest now and is in the same spot. Now these are golf balls and unfertilized eggs. But I have 10 in the bator that I want to put under a hen. This one has not moved in 3 days, I figure I will wait two more days. My question, Has anyone built a ramp for them to get down? Will 8-10 chicks get squashed in a normal 12 x12 nesting box. If they do hatch under her can I move her then? Or will she refuse to take care of them if in a new location? Thanks for reading.

 

[Mylied]

I think 8" might be too high for chicks to navigate. I'd moved after they hatch. I haven't had a broody give up on hatched chicks. But make sure she can't get back to preferred spot. I have had broodies go to a spot chicks can't get to and just call to them. Usually they'll go back to the chicks but sometimes they won't.

 

[eulogos]

In my experience, the hens have always stayed with the chicks when moved. I have a deep rounded basketIlut the chicks in, then pick uphen, hold her tight, put chicks in new place ( gently dumping them), put hen with them, and all is well.

I have sometimes had to let a hen be free in the flock with chicks. The hen will get them roosting way before you would believe they could get up there.
I did have one hen decide she and her two day old chicks were going to spend the night in a nest 18 inches- 2 ft off the ground. Luckily I saw this and quick ran and got a board for them to walk up. Maybe she would have gone back down to them if I hadn’t got the board, but I liked the idea of them up there too.

 

[eulogos]

Wish I could edit “ deep round basket I put the chicks in. “