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!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

If you want to be completely safe, I would block off an area around Harriet's nest so she has some peace. For me, the biggest problem raising chicks in a flock is making sure they have access to food and water. The older birds tend to gobble up the chick starter. I keep the broody and chicks fenced off in a section of the coop for a couple of weeks until the chicks are fully bonded and big enough to evade an aggressive hen. For those first weeks, I put them in a fully enclosed run outside during the day so they get some sun and dirt.
I hope all goes well. That chick sure is cute!

 

[andreamunroe]

Thanks!