Hatching under a broody

[paxfarms]

This is my first time hatching under a broody. My broody Buff Orpington has another week to go before hatch day. She's in a "maternity ward" pen by herself. The floor of her nesting box is about 6-8 inches off the floor of the coop. Should I leave her be where she's at? The nesting box has a 5-6 inches tall lip so that the eggs don't roll out and chicks don't accidentally fall out once they hatch. Is that enough to keep them safe?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would leave her be, but be around on hatch day and move them to the ground asap as I've had plenty of chicks jump out and they cannot get back. Mom will not get up to fetch them and they chill quickly.

 

[Perris]

as above, plus you might want to pile shavings/straw etc into a ramp on the outside of the front edge of the box - a 5-6 inch lip will defeat a new chick trying to get back in if/when it exits the box

 

[paxfarms]

Great tips! I appreciate it! I intentionally gave the mama hen eggs so that they would hatch during a week that I don't have anything going on so I can keep a close eye on them. Mama hen is only a year old so this is her first time hatching as well, but, so far, she's doing a fantastic job! Thanks for the help!!

 

[Mezzy Chicks]

I have my first broody hatching chicks too! Also a Buff Orp. Today is hatching day and i couldnt be more excited! I would love to hear how its going for you. Can you give an update?

 

[paxfarms]

Things are going great! One chick hatched on Monday, 6 hatched Tuesday (which was Day 21), and the last hatched early in the morning on Wednesday. Mama Hen stayed put until all the babies hatched and took them out Wednesday afternoon for some outdoor time. 2 of the chicks followed her outside and the rest were still in the nesting box so I took all of them outside with her. We've been getting a lot of rain since then so I've had them locked go in the coop. She didn't bother going back to the nesting box. She's had all the babies under her on the floor of the coop. It is the sweetest thing you'll ever experience in your life!

I have my first broody hatching chicks too! Also a Buff Orp. Today is hatching day and i couldnt be more excited! I would love to hear how its going for you. Can you give an update?

 

[paxfarms]

Things are going great! One chick hatched on Monday, 6 hatched Tuesday (which was Day 21), and the last hatched early in the morning on Wednesday. Mama Hen stayed put until all the babies hatched and took them out Wednesday afternoon for some outdoor time. 2 of the chicks followed her outside and the rest were still in the nesting box so I took all of them outside with her. We've been getting a lot of rain since then so I've had them locked go in the coop. She didn't bother going back to the nesting box. She's had all the babies under her on the floor of the coop. It is the sweetest thing you'll ever experience in your life!

I have my first broody hatching chicks too! Also a Buff Orp. Today is hatching day and i couldnt be more excited! I would love to hear how its going for you. Can you give an update?

 

[paxfarms]

Sorry. I don't know why that posted twice like that.