Broody in mid-hatch: allow other hens back into coop tonight?

[andreamunroe]

My broody hen Harriet has hatched out 2 (maybe more, I’m trying not to bug her) of her 7 eggs today. Some pics of my my coop are attached, it’s a raised 4 x 8 with an enclosed 8 x 10 covered run, but the hens free range half the backyard all day, I close up the run at night but the pop-door between the coop and enclosed run is always open. I locked the other 5 hens out of the coop today for hatch-day (the ramp folds up as a door) because someone has been laying in her nest and I didn’t want them doing so today. I’m planning to let her raise them with the flock, crossing fingers that she’ll boss the others around (she’s a dominant hen, they don’t mess with her normally, though she’s been very gentle with me).

Just wondering if you folks think it’s best to allow the other hens back in the coop to sleep tonight, or if I should keep it closed and let them sleep in the run. I just don’t want them climbing into the nest with her while chicks are still hatching. The nest is just a desk drawer on the floor of the coop. The enclosed run is predator proof, and I can lean some plywood up to block wind. Harriet’s hatch will likely continue though tomorrow morning.

Thanks!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Sorry you didn't get an answer last night. How did everything go?

 

[andreamunroe]

I made the other hens sleep out in the covered run so Harriet could have a harassment-free night/morning. I checked on her and still only the 2 have hatched so far, but maybe we'll have more by the time I'm home from work today. I'm thinking I'll keep them separate until she decides the hatch is done, then a supervised visit to test the waters.

They're SO cute. I can't believe they fit in those eggs!

 

[Tre3hugger]

I experienced my first broody hatch a couple weeks ago. So amazing to watch mama and babies navigate the world and the flock. Have fun, and keep us posted!

Just curious are you sure all eggs are viable? Did you candle them at all during incubation period?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Awwwww I love broody hatches. When mine hatched some eggs I checked all four eggs at day 10 and thought they were all fertile, low and behold only two were and the other two were not. Clearly I'm not the best judge. Congrats are your wee babes!

 

[andreamunroe]

Just curious are you sure all eggs are viable? Did you candle them at all during incubation period?

I candled them on day 8 or so and 4 of them looked good then (Barnevelder mixes) but I wasn’t sure about 3 of them (silkie mixes). I never checked them after that. My friend who gave me the eggs wasn’t sure if her Roo was fertilizing the silkie ones. Really I just watched a couple of YouTube videos on candelling and don’t have much of an idea what I’m doing haha... but Harriet knows what she’s doing, so we make an OK team

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My hen hatched 3 (4 if you include the one she left behind) with the flock in the coop but they has other nests to go in. I moved her with the last egg and chick she left as well as her own three to a seperate coop for the rest of the time. Do you have a rooster?

 

[andreamunroe]

My hen hatched 3 (4 if you include the one she left behind) with the flock in the coop but they has other nests to go in. I moved her with the last egg and chick she left as well as her own three to a seperate coop for the rest of the time. Do you have a rooster?

No rooster (we live in town and aren’t allowed them), we got fertilized eggs from a friend.

I ended up blocking off the 4 x 8 foot space under the coop for Harriet and the chicks. I used the panels from a wire dog crate so the other hens can see and hear the chicks, everything is great so far! We got 2 new day old golden laced Wyandotte’s and slipped them under her after dark tonight, hoping for a smooth acceptance when she finds her babies have multiplied by morning!