Hatched chick with mother hen problem

[Ridgerunner]

Or would it be better to just remove the basket.

If you are going to move them and can, I'd move the entire basket.

I am quite in a dilemma on choosing what is best to do. They currently in an elevated small nesting place which is about 3ft by 2ft or maybe more

That area doesn't sound bad, at least until they all hatch, but I'm not looking at it. I've seen a broody hen get her newly hatched chicks down from a 10' high hay loft. She flew down and told them to jump. They did, then bounced up and ran to her. I regularly hatch in nests about 4 feet above the coop floor. My broody hens have no problems getting them to the coop floor when it is time. I don't know what that area looks like but the fact that it is elevated doesn't bother me at all.

i am concern that the hen would step on her chicks...

It's quite possible she will no matter where they are, those chicks can really get underfoot. I don't know how many times I've seen a broody hen scratching the ground with vigor accidentally launch a chick a couple of feet in the air. I've never seen a chick injured when that happens. I do not suggest dropping a chick from any height or sending them flying, to me that would be cruel and abusive. They can be injured. But they are pretty tough and broody hens don't injure their chicks that often.

 

[ReiK]

If you are going to move them and can, I'd move the entire basket.


That area doesn't sound bad, at least until they all hatch, but I'm not looking at it. I've seen a broody hen get her newly hatched chicks down from a 10' high hay loft. She flew down and told them to jump. They did, then bounced up and ran to her. I regularly hatch in nests about 4 feet above the coop floor. My broody hens have no problems getting them to the coop floor when it is time. I don't know what that area looks like but the fact that it is elevated doesn't bother me at all.


It's quite possible she will no matter where they are, those chicks can really get underfoot. I don't know how many times I've seen a broody hen scratching the ground with vigor accidentally launch a chick a couple of feet in the air. I've never seen a chick injured when that happens. I do not suggest dropping a chick from any height or sending them flying, to me that would be cruel and abusive. They can be injured. But they are pretty tough and broody hens don't injure their chicks that often.

Thank you. Was quite concerned about them being in a small space especially when the chicks push themselves underneath the hen