Broody sitting, what’s next?!!!

[Newchickymama37]

Ok so I have a broody sitting on some eggs. This is my first experience with this. She has been sitting since either the 14th or 15th and is in the coop where everyone else goes to lay/sleep. She seems to be doing well. I’m not sure how many of the eggs are even fertilized because at that time I only had one roo and 20 hens and he had a hard time keeping up. She is about 4 feet off the ground and I don’t really want to move her because I’m afraid she will leave her eggs! Should I move her or let her stay? If I let her stay will she be ok there? Do I separate her and her babies from the rest of the flock after they hatch? If they stay will the babies be ok that far off the ground and with the flock?

 

[tacothechicken]

I do about other people's birds but my broodies pick a nest and STAY THERE! Moving isnt an option for them till the chicks have hatched so we generally just leave em till chicks have peeped them move the new fam only if other hens are causing issues. 4 ft is pretty high I advise sticking them in a lower down spot post hatching so chicks don't fall. The other hens reactions depends on the current hens hierarchy spot so reaction may vary, but brood hen wont care being whith flock or whith out post hatch as she'll want to focus on the chicks

 

[tacothechicken]

I will note some extremes that can happen in a flock raised setting and non, is Aunty hens who will help out versus chick stealers if you have hens who've never successfully brooded versus separating which causes confrontation when the hen needs to reintroduce chicks to flock may have to legitimately fight for her spot back and if unsuccessful it will be taken out on both her and the chicks which is why if I separate a brood clutch I put them in a blocked off corner not separate entirely

 

[BullChick]

It’s true about four feet being a little scary. But... as long as there’s bedding below, the fall won’t hurt them. If you watch a video on how chicks get to the feed store, they go on a conveyer belt, and are dumped several feet onto another belt below.

 

[50-45-1]

If the other hen are still laying fresh eggs in her box that is a problem. Leads to stagered batch.
Also after the chicks hatch how will you make sure they get enough chick starter? Unless you feed all of your birds chick starter. Also the adults often knock over the chick waterer, and adult chicken watereres are usually not accessable to chicks or not safe as chicks can drown in them.
I always move my broodies to a broody box setup. If you do the move after dark it is less stressful and i have had very good luck doing this. I move the hen and chicks back to the coop after a couple weeks when they are established and have first feathers. Again after dark.