Hatching Chicks in an Elevated Coop

[shelbylarae]

Hi yall!
We are letting our broody austrolorp finally hatch babies (7 eggs). She is sitting on them in an elevated coop around 2-3 feet high with a ramp. I am getting nervous about her hatching them up that high.

When they hatch, will the chicks stay under the mom and for how long?
Will they immediately start to walk around potentially falling out of the coop?
Should I just let them be and provide starter feed and water up in the elevated coop?
Should I bring them all down once they have hatched into a dog crate with feed and water separated?

My amazing light brahma rooster was killed saving his girls from a hawk the same day my austrolorp went broody. I am taking it as a sign she is meant to have these babies so he can live on. I want to make sure I am doing everything right. Thank you for your help/advice!

 

[50-45-1]

Yes, the chicks will have difficulty negotiating the ramp.
They will stay under the broody for a day or so, but she will get them out for food and water and start moving them around.
I think leaving them to hatch where they are us a better option right now.
I would move them to a ground cage after the hatch is over.
Good Luck!

 

[Yardmom]

My hens hatch chicks in a coop with a ramp. What you should do may depend on your space.

I keep food and water in the coop when I have chicks. My Moms keep the chicks in the coop the first couple weeks. The first time Mom brings out the chicks we watch to make sure all chicks get back up. Most of the time the chicks have no problem with the ramp. Once in a while a chick doesn't get it right away. We catch the chick and guide it up the ramp. After that the chicks do it on their own the next time.

There are integration issues with removing mom and chicks from the flock. It is best to leave mom and chicks with the flock when possible.