Help

[Bamagal]

I went out to feed & water & found we have a hen that has hatched her eggs in the laying nest. This is a first for us & we are not sure what to do. Should we move them from the others?
Thanks,
Bamagal

 

[Badhbh]

I wouldn't.... She'll take care of them, and if you try to move them now, she'll go nuts. I'd leave her be

 

[Bamagal]

I'm worried the others will find out about them & kill the chicks. How will they eat & drink. Lucy, "The mother" will keep them from starving? What about water? I'm so worried. I've had chickens for 5 years & this is a first here. Really!
Thank you. Bamagal

 

[frankenchick]

I put a kennel inside the coop and had water and food in it for Mama and babies (6). I kept them in there 24/7 for about 5 days; after that, Mama wanted to take them outside. They were in a closed 10x10 pen all day and in the kennel at night and they were fine. At about 2 weeks, I just let them out with Mama.

The one thing I will say is that I fed them separately; the big girls tend to steal their food and bully them otherwise.