Coop broodys hatched chicks in nesting boxes

[Ac7941]

I had two coop broodys hatch out 3 chicks (for the first time) on Wednesday! They hatched much earlier than I expected, and before I could move the broodys out of the nesting boxes. Should I even bother to move them now, with the little chicks running around, or let them figure things out themselves? The rest of my flock doesn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that they’ve lost two nesting boxes, they are still laying eggs in another available box, and seem to have been friendly to the new arrivals.

 

[black_cat]

I had two coop broodys hatch out 3 chicks (for the first time) on Wednesday! They hatched much earlier than I expected, and before I could move the broodys out of the nesting boxes. Should I even bother to move them now, with the little chicks running around, or let them figure things out themselves? The rest of my flock doesn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that they’ve lost two nesting boxes, they are still laying eggs in another available box, and seem to have been friendly to the new arrivals.

As of right now, if you move the chicks, the broodies will follow. I'd try to put them in a sectioned off area, whether that's in the main coop, the run (but make sure that they have a 'coop' of their own!) or in a separate coop or even in the house. You don't want to take the risk of chicks being attacked.

 

[nuthatched]

As long as the nest is ground level and the chicks can make it back to the warmth of momma without issue, they'll be fine.

 

[black_cat]

As long as the nest is ground level and the chicks can make it back to the warmth of momma without issue, they'll be fine.

Whoops, ok! I'd listen to nuthatched over me.

 

[Ac7941]

As long as the nest is ground level and the chicks can make it back to the warmth of momma without issue, they'll be fine.

It’s not ground level, but there is a ramp that can be accessed - just not sure the chicks will be able to navigate the ramp for awhile

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

It's not a bad idea to move them, especially if they're not ground level. The broody(ies) will follow. Broodies do a good job of protecting chicks. I've even had a Cochin broody just straight up throwdown with my Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd LG cause she walked just a little too close to where the peeps were foraging. Some are more tolerant of interaction that others, but I haven't seen one not lose her mind if one of her chicks starts sounding distressed, so if falling isn't a danger, they should be fine in with the rest of the flock.

One last consideration if you leave them there--make sure your waterer(s) aren't deep enough to drown in. Chicks have a tragic tendency to go for a dip even if it seems they can't get in there.

 

[Ac7941]

It's not a bad idea to move them, especially if they're not ground level. The broody(ies) will follow. Broodies do a good job of protecting chicks. I've even had a Cochin broody just straight up throwdown with my Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd LG cause she walked just a little too close to where the peeps were foraging. Some are more tolerant of interaction that others, but I haven't seen one not lose her mind if one of her chicks starts sounding distressed, so if falling isn't a danger, they should be fine in with the rest of the flock.

One last consideration if you leave them there--make sure your waterer(s) aren't deep enough to drown in. Chicks have a tragic tendency to go for a dip even if it seems they can't get in there.

So it sounds like I should just move the chicks themselves? Should I move their nesting material also, or is having a new nest ready for them enough?

 

[black_cat]

So it sounds like I should just move the chicks themselves? Should I move their nesting material also, or is having a new nest ready for them enough?

If you're going to move them, put the chicks in your new nest, then put the hen next to them and let her do as she'd like (monitor her just in case, but she'll almost definitely get settled).

 

[Ac7941]

I just went in to check on her and she is still sitting on one egg from the original hatch, and in the meantime has collected 3 new eggs! Up until hatch day I had removed any new eggs from her, so these must be very new. Should I take them from her, or let her keep them w the best? Will this deter her from taking the already hatched chicks outside?

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

I just went in to check on her and she is still sitting on one egg from the original hatch, and in the meantime has collected 3 new eggs! Up until hatch day I had removed any new eggs from her, so these must be very new. Should I take them from her, or let her keep them w the best? Will this deter her from taking the already hatched chicks outside?

No, don't let her keep new eggs. With hatched chicks her job is now to watch them, not try to hatch more.