Coop and Poop

[chickschool]

My broody silkie decided to set her eggs on the floor of a small coop where I keep them in the winter. The eggs are due to hatch this week and I'd like to clean out the coop. Is it OK to do? She is extremely tame and has had no problem letting me move her off and candle them a few times. I just don't know if it would really through her off. If I can't clean the whole coop can I at least clean around her?

 

[Roooisin]

when was the last time you cleaned out the coop?

 

[chickschool]

About 3 weeks. My problem is that she's on the floor near the roost where all the poop gathers and it grosses me out to think the babies will be so close to that.

 

[allieloveschickens]

I think it would be okay to clean around her, or you could move the eggs and mom to a box while you clean, and then put them all back together afterwards.

 

[chickschool]

So it won't bother her that her "nest" is totally different? I was just unsure if I disturb what she built if that would cause her to stop setting. She's pretty easy go lucky but this is her (and mine) first time so I don't what to mess it up.

 

[NanaLantana]

If the eggs are due to hatch this week, why not put the hen and nest into a large dog crate, and close it up? She'll be safer that way, too - give her her own little water and food dishes. Maybe even putting the crate in another area would be good, so new chix don't exit the cage when she' s locked up! You'll have to protect her and her babies when they hatch, anyway. If it's cleaning time, maybe you could make the switch now. Hope it all works out for you, the broody, and your new chix!

 

[chickschool]

That sounds great...but there is one little hitch about moving them. You see her "sister" has decided to set with her and they take turns. It's really weird and I don't know if it happens very often but they have a great buddy system worked out. I will tell you that they are the only two in that coop so I'm not worried about keeping the chicks safe. My only concern was whether or not disturbing the nest would be an issue.

 

[VioletandBodie]

i say scoop around her then when the chicks hatch scoop where they are

 

[Chocobroc]

I just moved my hen and her eggs into a new coop after almost two weeks of sitting and she went right back to nesting... I was a little concerned too, but she adjusted just fine.