Cleaning the Brooder box

[greenthumbmama]

We have four 2 week old chicks being raised by our mother hen Ginger. Their box in our garage needs to be cleaned out. Ginger gets really upset when I even go in there to refresh the water and feed and the chicks all run away from me. How am I supposed to get them out in order to clean the box? I don't want to cause any harm to the chicks or their bond with their mother. Ginger is preening a lot and it makes me wonder if she needs a dust bath. She's even lost some feathers today (just about 4 or 5). Any suggestions? I don't think the chicks are old enough to be outside with her. We have not been having warm weather lately - mid to high 70's is all. I'd love some suggestions and advice.

Thanks

 

[emvickrey]

I would take them all out and clean it. As soon as you get a warm day I would let the hen out for to stretch her legs.