HELP ME I'M NEW

[Kittykat069]

Can someone help! we're just starting out on our chicken journey and were getting prepared for chicks as our hen has been sitting for some time. we aren't ready and they are starting to hatch. her nesting box is up high and we were going to move her and the eggs to her own nesting box on monday but it started to rain. now not sure what to do, we are only learning. i have put up a temporary fix so they don't fall to their deaths but thats only a short term fix. will she try and come out of the next before they are hatched and if not how long after the last one hatches will she try to take them out. we want to move her and the chicks to their new "maternity coop" but not sure how she will cope with this. to make matters worse she is sitting on 16 eggs, some of her own and some she stole from chickens sitting next to her so they are all going to hatch at different times. Please help











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[cavemanrich]

Well,,,, let me try to help you best I can. Your pix give me limited view of your coop,,, but you state,, that the nest is up high.
The ideal solution,, would be to place nest, with all contents on the ground level. (easier said than done) This way no falling accidents. Second thing to do is isolate mama and chicks from the rest of flock. I do not know if your other chickens are aggressive . Your mama chicken and chicks will need to start eating. A chicken wire netting (or equivalent) to keep chicks separated from rest of flock,,,, and rest of flock from entering chic area is needed.

With a hatch lasting unknown duration,, because of the additional added eggs,, you may have some a number of days later. I am not sure if your hen will keep sitting on nest. until last viable egg hatches. If you could get your hands on an incubator, from someone,, that would be best backup plan.
When most of chicks hatch, mama hen may give up on nest.
Of-set hatches is something to try to avoid,,,, for this reason. You are new,,, so it is something for next time.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Kittykat069]

Well,,,, let me try to help you best I can. Your pix give me limited view of your coop,,, but you state,, that the nest is up high.
The ideal solution,, would be to place nest, with all contents on the ground level. (easier said than done) This way no falling accidents. Second thing to do is isolate mama and chicks from the rest of flock. I do not know if your other chickens are aggressive . Your mama chicken and chicks will need to start eating. A chicken wire netting (or equivalent) to keep chicks separated from rest of flock,,,, and rest of flock from entering chic area is needed.

With a hatch lasting unknown duration,, because of the additional added eggs,, you may have some a number of days later. I am not sure if your hen will keep sitting on nest. until last viable egg hatches. If you could get your hands on an incubator, from someone,, that would be best backup plan.
When most of chicks hatch, mama hen may give up on nest.
Of-set hatches is something to try to avoid,,,, for this reason. You are new,,, so it is something for next time.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thanks so much. We actually have another pen with a separate coop away from other chickens on the ground level. my plan at the moment is wait for until the majority hatch then move all chicks and hen to this coop. i wondered if she would hurt them if they are moved. we already bought an incubator so will try that if she loses interest once she has a little brood. does

 

[cavemanrich]

Broody mom LUVS her newborn chicks. I very much doubt that moving would change her attitude.
Many peeps slip in live chicks from store under broody hens. This way the hen does the work of raising chicks. They adopt most chicks with open wings.

 

[cavemanrich]

Try to carry the whole batch in one piece if possible. Maybe slip a board under nest, and carry ALL in one stroke.

 

[GallinosGameFarm801]

You need to remove some eggs already and should only have hen sit on 9 -10 eggs any more is nomore room