day 18 should i close up the coop?

[chickenchik12]

tomorow is day 18 of clairice's incubation shes on 8 rir eggs and since chicks can always hatch early, (or late) should i close the coop so i dont come home and there is 8 little chicks roaming around my yard with no heat?i need to know now cuz i wont do it without advice until atleast day 20.ofcourse the other hen will have outdoor nesting boxes like usual but yeah

i kno im hopeless.

thanks-cc12

 

[chickenchik12]

please!gah!

 

[cat]

Don't panic, she will not leave the babies to wander round, they will stay tucked underneath her for a few days at least. I would close the coop if you think the other hens might bother her or be mean to her babies.

Good luck

 

[hinkjc]

This is one of the things that worries me with hens hatching babies. I'd be interested in hearing other's experience. I'm not so worried about the flock, but how do the chicks do with going in and out of the coop? What if they fall out and can't figure out how to get back in. Do most keep their mama hens in a confined indoor area until the chicks grow a bit?

 

[eggsrcool]

I personally close the hen house and put some chicken wire around it. The chicks stay in there for a few days and go outside everyday for a week, before being allowed in with my own flock as they never attack the babies. Depending on how your other chickens will react, keep them closed up with their mum until they are ready to join the flock after about 8 weeks.