Havin chicks the natural way?

[Frosty]

I usually just put food and water where the hens can get to it, and leave it up to her if she wants to get off the eggs or not. Usually, she's in the barn where a bunch of hens were laying in one nest. The barn cats don't even try to mess with the peeps, they learn early that momma hen is very protective. It is not uncommon to see 3 week old chicks napping in the sun on a straw bale, and a barn cat napping on the other end of the bale. I do put a small waterer down and a feeder for the babies...

 

[Cetawin]

Let your hen be a hen and mama. She knows when she needs to eat and drink and how long to be gone. Let her be and she will do the rest. Make sure she has food and water available 24/7 and just be patient.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

Let her sit as long as she wants. You might want to physically take her off the nest and sit her in front of the food. She'll go back on the nest when she's ready. She can be off the nest for as long as 20 mins, but usually she gets back on sooner. Toward the end, she won't get off at all.

Sometimes I would give my hen a few kernels of corn, which she gobbled up out of my hand. Be prepared for her giant smelly broody poo though. Nasty and stinky!!