Can i move a broody when eggs are hatching?

[kat66]

My bantam hid a nest on top of a pen in a narrow spot. She has 14 eggs. I tried to move her one night a week ago and she just went back to her old spot so I gave her back her eggs. Now they're hatching and I found a wet chick next to her trying to get under her but it couldn't. It will be in the low 40s tonite and I want to bring them inside.I put a towel under her and cover her at nite. Should I leave her be or can I bring her inside ?

 

[junebuggena]

Can you move the whole nest, eggs included into a crate with the hen?

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hello
I 2nd @junebuggena question/statement because they are hatching I would try to move the whole nest she is on. If you HAVE to to save the chicks and eggs then yes you can... carefully...wouldnt move them when they are peeped though. ​

 

[kat66]

Can you move the whole nest, eggs included into a crate with the hen?

Hmm, I wonder if we just lifted up the towel they're on and put them all in a box ?

 

[junebuggena]

Hmm, I wonder if we just lifted up the towel they're on and put them all in a box ?

She'll likely try to jump out of the box and return to her nest site. You need to confine her with the eggs. A crate is the best way to do this, plus, you can cover the crate to make her more willing to settle down on the eggs in the crate with her.

 

[kat66]

Do you think she'll do that and leave her babies? At least 3 have hatched. I don't have a crate but I have a bottomless cage I can put over the box. I just don't want her stepping on her eggs and freaking out.