Chicks hatching in too small nest box, shall I move them out?

[LestersFlat]

I have just read through some of these posts about trying to keep Mama and chicks separated for about a week from the others in the coop. My problem is that the 3 broody hens are sitting in one of those metal, 10-stall nesting boxes that the other hens are still using for laying. The other issue that complicates this is that the big box is sitting up on an old kitchen table in the coop.

I tried to keep the hens from brooding in there, but I lost that battle...

The first chick just hatched yesterday, so I don't think it will be an immediate problem, but should I do my best to round up all 3 Mamas and their babies and move them to a separate area? I was thinking of putting chicken wire around the 4 legs of the table on the floor to contain them all down there, but I will have to put a large crate in there as well for nighttime lock-up because we have a rat problem in the coop.

Is it OK to put all 3 Mamas in together with their babies? I can put 3 separate boxes in the crate for them, but not sure if they should be tucked in so close together.

Should I wait a few more days until the rest of the eggs are hatched before I move them?

And, last question: I am picking up 3 chicks that are about a week old from a friend this weekend, could I...or should I...try to sneak them in at night with the other youngsters? Do you think the Mamas know which ones are their chicks?

Your advice is always much appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have just read through some of these posts about trying to keep Mama and chicks separated for about a week from the others in the coop. My problem is that the 3 broody hens are sitting in one of those metal, 10-stall nesting boxes that the other hens are still using for laying. The other issue that complicates this is that the big box is sitting up on an old kitchen table in the coop.

I tried to keep the hens from brooding in there, but I lost that battle...

The first chick just hatched yesterday, so I don't think it will be an immediate problem, but should I do my best to round up all 3 Mamas and their babies and move them to a separate area? I was thinking of putting chicken wire around the 4 legs of the table on the floor to contain them all down there, but I will have to put a large crate in there as well for nighttime lock-up because we have a rat problem in the coop.

Is it OK to put all 3 Mamas in together with their babies? I can put 3 separate boxes in the crate for them, but not sure if they should be tucked in so close together.

Should I wait a few more days until the rest of the eggs are hatched before I move them?

And, last question: I am picking up 3 chicks that are about a week old from a friend this weekend, could I...or should I...try to sneak them in at night with the other youngsters? Do you think the Mamas know which ones are their chicks?

Your advice is always much appreciated!

Thank you!

This may prove interesting. There is a possibility that these three hens may become jealous and possessive once the first egg is hatched and then fight and tussle over the maternity of the first chick. In this case all of your hens will believe that they are the rightful mother and leave the nest, the fighting and tussling will insure that none of your chicks will hatch or live. Here's hoping that I'm wrong.

 

[LestersFlat]

Update: Well the chicks decided on their own that the space was too small for them (even though there are still only 2) and they jumped off the table. When I came out to check on them yesterday, 2 of the broody hens and the 2 chicks were playing in the dirt under a huge bush outside. I am a bit concerned about critters that could get to them, but the moms are excellent protectors and were getting along just fine with each other.

The other hens and the one roo also were checking them out without any bad behavior.

I was able to gather up the chicks in the evening, and put them and the 2 hens all in one crate together. Everyone did well, and today they are out and about, but seem to be staying inside the coop.

The third hen gave up on the remaining 12 eggs in the nest boxes, and the 2 chick-watchers have their hands full, so I took out the eggs and am going to try to hatch them myself, without an incubator. They are in a cooler with a heat lamp on them. It may or may not work, but I will try my best!

I still would like to know if you think it is a good idea to try to put the 3 chicks I am picking up on Saturday, just a few days older than these 2, in the crate with the others at night? Better to sneak them in at night? Or introduce them during the day when they are wandering around the coop? Either way I would keep an eye on them to see what happens.

Pics are from yesterday when they were still up in the nest box. The chicks were back and forth between the 2 boxes.