First time with broody hen

[KM2H]

I would not use a pack and play. They are too inconvenient for what you need. Not predator proof either.

Most of us that let a hen hatch with the flock hatch in the coop. You are not so it will be a bit different. Do you consider that run predator proof at night? It looks like you free range during the day so a predator could come in through the open gate then. Not criticizing, lots of us do that.

If you were in the coop I'd pretty much say do nothing but trust your broody hen. But they will be out where rain could get to them. I'd suggest building a shelter for nighttime if you don't have something you can use, mainly for rain protection. I happened to have an old chicken tractor no longer used that was 4' x 8' (1.2m x 2.4m) that had one end covered with plywood and the other end covered with hardware cloth which worked great for this. You don't need anything nearly that big but you'll have to train your broody hen to use that.

There are different ways I see you could go. One is to build a rain-proof nest on the ground or a couple of inches above ground level in case water runs in there during a rain. Have a door you can lock. You could lock her and the chicks in that nest every night until she learns to use it. Should not take long.

If you still have that enclosure (looks like a dog cage) you could put that nest in there and just lock the hen and chicks in that cage for three days, feeding and watering in there. After two nights sleeping in there the hen should take her chicks back there to sleep each night. She may not use that nest initially but she probably will since it is sheltered and dark. Just leave the nest door open and don't use a nest door. Again, trust your broody, she will manage. The holes on that cage are too big, the chicks can walk right through them. You should cover the bottom foot or so of the sides with hardware cloth so the chicks can't escape Mama's protection. You can use cloth or plastic netting but I've had chicks get tangled up in it. This is basically the way I do it and I think it is fairly easy for you.

Another option would be to put the hen and chicks in the coop each night until she learns to take them back into there. I'm not sure how big that coop is or how easy it would be for the chicks to use the pop door. The coop looks ground level, which would be good. The hen does not need any kind of a nest, they will sleep on the coop floor until she leads them to the roosts. One benefit of this method is that the chicks will grow up sleeping in the coop, you won't have to train them later.

Another option is to do nothing and see what the hen does. Growing up on the farm many decades ago broody hens would hide a nest and take care of the chicks from there, not always in a coop or shelter at night. Predators were a risk but weren't much of a problem though they could hit at any time. Even in the rain she managed. My personal preference is to provide predator protection and shelter from the rain. Before they were domesticated hens hatched chicks and raised them with no help from humans and they didn't go extinct. But I want to do more than that.

I agree with Sourland, I would not move them until after the hatch. My hens hatch in nests 2' or 4' (60 to 120 cms) above the coop floor. They have no trouble getting the chicks to the coop floor when the broody decides to bring them down. I'd leave them where they are until she brings them off the nest. Then decide what you want to do with them.

The chicks will eat whatever feed you are giving to the rest of the flock if they can get to it at all. Even if your feeders are elevated the hen will scoop feed out for them. By the time they are 2 weeks old my chicks are flying up to my elevated feeders to eat directly. Many of us do not feed Layer with its high calcium content but feed Starter, All Flock, Flock Raiser, or some similar to the entire flock when we have young chicks in the flock, with oyster shells on the side for the hens that need the calcium for their eggs.

When I have a hen hatching I put food and water at ground level where the chicks can get to it. The hen takes her chicks there when she brings them off of the nest. Some people put food or water in or near the nest but I don't find that necessary. I don't want to take the chance of the water getting the nest wet or the food getting spilled and attracting vermin. But many people manage that.

I see you are free ranging. I'd leave that gate open for the broody hen to take her chicks out whenever she wants to. That's what mine do. But be down there as it starts getting dark to make sure they get back inside OK. Sometimes when chickens are let out the first time they can get trapped on the wrong side of the fence and totally forget about that gate they have been using all day. You may have to help them through the gate the first night or two. The broody hen will get back but sometimes the chicks don't follow her through the gate and turn back on the wrong side of the fence.

With your nest outside like that my main concern is what happens when it rains at night. Those hens on the farm where I grew up had a lot of options of where to take their chicks. Inside your run options are limited.

Good luck!

Thank you there is a lot of food for thought here. I can definitely bring her back to the coop and create a cozy space for them once the chicks hatch. Their coop is a bit off the ground and the run is safe. I do let them free range so yes there is the inherent risk that comes with it, I guess on that part I will be saying my prayers, trusting the hen and going out as much as I can. Luckily I am a stay at home mom and can give my rounds often to check and make sure everyone is doing OK.
Thank you so much for the info on the food, I had no idea that was an option and always wondered how people make that work.

 

[KM2H]

I agree, I wouldn’t try to move her again until the eggs have hatched. I tried to move my broody before the egg hatched and she did the same as yours, went back to the other nest. Once the chick hatched, I moved her and baby chick to their own little coop. She’s stayed in there with the chick ever since. Could you add hardwire mesh to the places you think snakes can get in?

Sorry if this has been answered, I skimmed the thread hurrying out the door.

Your set up is really nice and something I could have in the run.

 

[KRack]

Your set up is really nice and something I could have in the run.

The only reason I moved my hen and chick was because there was no where for me to put food and water in the main coop, that it wouldn't get pooped on when the rest of the flock roosted at night time, and I didn't want the chick to get sick from that. I was also a little concerned about how the other chickens may treat the chick, encountering it in the main coop. This set up gives me a lot of peace of mind because of those things. Although I don't love the ramp. We free range as well, and I'm eager for mama hen to take her chick out and about!

Good luck!! I'm winging it over here, too.

 

[KM2H]

The only reason I moved my hen and chick was because there was no where for me to put food and water in the main coop, that it wouldn't get pooped on when the rest of the flock roosted at night time, and I didn't want the chick to get sick from that. I was also a little concerned about how the other chickens may treat the chick, encountering it in the main coop. This set up gives me a lot of peace of mind because of those things. Although I don't love the ramp. We free range as well, and I'm eager for mama hen to take her chick out and about!

Good luck!! I'm winging it over here, too.

Totally understand. Will keep you all posted.