First Hatch With Hen! Need Some Advice

JennyPatty84

Chirping
Sep 6, 2016
59
33
96
I just had my first hatch via a broody hen and I am super excited about it! I have hatched many chicks with an incubator, but this is the first time one of my hens has gone broody. I have a couple questions I am hoping you can help with!

1. Right now there is one chick out and we aren’t convinced she’s going to hatch more, but then we didn’t think she’d hatch any at all! My nesting box is pretty high up (about 5 feet) so what should I do? I don’t want the chicks to fall, but she’s still sitting on eggs so I don’t want to move her. The chick literally just hatched, so do they tend to stick under their moms for the first few days?

2. How long should I wait before deciding the other eggs aren’t viable?

3. I plan on keeping them in the coop, separated outside the pen with an x-pen. Is this a good idea or should I keep them all together?

4. Should I feed everyone starter now, including the hen?

Thanks so much!!
 
1 & 2. I usually place a screen or board across the nest to keep the new chick from falling out. The hen will usually stay on the rest of the eggs for 2 days after the 1st chick hatches. By the end of the 2nd day I usually start taking eggs from under her to candle them. That way she isn't wasting time with eggs that won't hatch. Have your incubator going in case you find viable eggs. Chicks can be slipped under her if you want finish hatching any of the eggs yourself.

2 & 3. By the the morning of the 3rd day (or sooner) you should lift her out of the nest and put her and chicks in a brooder or separate area away from other chickens.

4. The hen should eat starter food like the chicks. I often scramble eggs to give to the hen and chicks, sometimes even before she leaves the nest. Have fun! ;)
 
I’m not sure about questions 1 and 2 since our broody Bantam only hatched 1 egg (the only one we let her sit on). But as far as question 3, yes keep them separated because older chickens will harm babies. We kept mama and baby in a separate small coop inside the main run so the other chickens could see but not touch... they will let you know when they’re ready to mingle. And question 4, yes mama hen will be fine eating the chick food since she will not be laying during this time. No need for layer pellets. She will be busy teaching the chicks how to eat, drink and be a chicken.
I love having a broody hen because they do all the work! All you have to do is provide clean fresh water, food and shelter. Hope this helped!!!
 

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