How to get broody hens to sit on eggs on the floor

[Crs1]

She is now in a nest 2 ft off the ground sitting on 13 eggs at various stages of development, and there are some that are within a few days of hatching. I’m assuming that it would be pretty hard to switch her to the floor once the chick start to hatch. So could I put them on the floor after she’s done hatching whatever egg she wants to hatch. I’m not sure if she’s going to want to sit there for all 13.
And I was wondering, how do you start them out sitting on eggs on the ground? Does anybody have any solutions of how to do that? Would making some on the ground, entice them to sit on eggs there or would it be dangerous for the eggs that she lays to be on the floor because of snakes and mice and things?
I thought I had posted this about an hour or so ago, but I didn’t see it so if it comes up late, then I did post two
Thank you for your help
Connie
KCMO

 

[DobieLover]

You must know you are asking these questions too late.

13 eggs at various stages of development

Why? Having a staggered hatch can be disastrous for the chicks.

I’m not sure if she’s going to want to sit there for all 13.

Doubtful. Most hens will abandon the nest 72 hours after the first egg hatches.

Does anybody have any solutions of how to do that?

Yes. You prepare a semi-private area for her and graft her to a ground nest. I wrote about how I do that in my article on managing broody hens.

Does anybody have any solutions of how to do that? Would making some on the ground, entice them to sit on eggs there or would it be dangerous for the eggs that she lays to be on the floor because of snakes and mice and things?

Is your coop not predator proof? With the pop door closed, nothing that can't squeeze through a 1/2" hole should be able to enter the coop.

 

[Yardmom]

After the first chicks hatch, mom will get down and call the chicks. Those who are able (normally all) will jump down to the floor.
Eggs that were started later will be left behind. If you have access to a incubator, the remaining eggs could be hatched in it. Do not expect the mom to take the chicks that hatch later.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Your other thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...t-2-feet-of-the-floor….1658158/#post-28513251