Do chicks born in the coop need to be moved?

[TinyLittleFarm]

I have my first broody. I have no idea if the eggs will hatch, but I'm in western Wisconsin and we still have more winter to come. If the babies hatch, I'm afraid of them getting eaten or attacked by the other chickens. I'm also afraid they will be too cold. Should I move momma and her eggs to an alternate location now? Will moving her and her eggs upset her? Should I wait until the babes are born? Do I do nothing? I'm clueless.

 

[Judy]

I never had any luck moving them while she was setting. She would abandon the nest altogether or go back to the original nest, without eggs now. I moved them a couple of times WHILE they were hatching --- I'm sure this is not a good idea, but I got away with it. The babies wound up in the coop with the rest of the flock within a couple of days anyway.

Usually, mamas are very good about defending their babies. My last batch is now a little over 3 weeks and I watched mama chase another hen about 30', with loud noises from both. The other hen had only pecked a chick once to tell her, I'm the hen, I eat first; they were all cleaning up the last of a treat.

Another thought, typically, the roo is good about protecting the chicks, too.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[OnlyinGlenloch]

I have moved a hen into the basement one year when it was cold and she decided to go broody and it did work.
I have left them in the coup as well when it was warm and moved the hen and eggs into a box close to the ground because I was afraid of them falling out and all went well. I did remove the babies when they started to run around because they were getting picked on a little.
Good Luck

 

[nuttyredhead]

I moved my broody after a few days of sitting, i didnt want anyone else taking her nest! She moved fine, the only time she ever got up was to poop. I put her food and water within reach . I put her in a large wire dog cage the day before nesting ( i proabably should have put her there originally but it worked thankfully). Now her and her 5 chicks are quite happy! It was in the teens, singles at night here last week right after they hatched. Mama is taking good care of them! Good luck!!!!

 

[Judy]

I missed linking this article, which I think is quite good:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html