Broody

[cajun1]

This is all new to me, so please bear with me. i have had a broody for a few weeks now. Today there are 3 chicks & she's still sitting on a couple of eggs. She is in a coop that also houses a rooster and another hen. During the day, other hens like to lay in the nesting boxes in this coop. I am afraid the other hens or rooster will harm the chicks. Now ... I do have 2 other coops. If I close that coop off to all other hens and rooster, will the 2 that live in there learn to roost in one of the other 2 coops on their own, or will I have to put them in the other coop? I believe the hens that like to lay in there will eventually start using the other coops to lay in. Any thoughts? Thank You.

 

[GitaBooks]

Really sorry it took so long to respond.

The mother should be okay with the other chickens if she can get away from them to her own little area, teaching them to forage and dust bathe, and if she has a nest on the ground to sleep in with them. Feed her and her chicks starter or starter/grower food and make sure the chicks can reach the water and won't drown. You can separate the two into another pen until the chick is stronger and then carefully reintroduce (best if they are in sight of the others during the separation).

Best of luck with your mother!