I’m a bit worried about my mother hen abandoning her chicks

[LocalBirdEnjoyer]

I had one of my broody NH red hens hatch out two beautiful chicks in the morning of the 20th and the evening on the 21st. She’s been a great momma hen in the past 3 days, and since both the chicks are 2 and 3 days old, I figured that they should be getting food. It was going pretty well, they were eating and drinking, but this morning I went out to the barn and saw both Nyx and Thea (the chicks) were out and about in the nesting box. Nutmeg, the momma, was also walking around. She got up to stretch and then went over to eat.

The thing I’m worried about, is if Nutmeg will abandon her chicks if she keeps getting up to get food?
She’s not being aggressive and she’s still letting them under her, but will she abandon them? I want the chicks to get food, but what if Nutmeg accidentally kills them while she’s digging in the shavings and violently pecking at the food?

All three of them are locked in the nesting box connected to my coop. The nesting box has two nests, both a bit larger than one hen, and could fit 2 pretty snuggly. One of the nests is occupied by Nutmeg and her babies, and the other (had) food and still has a waterer.

I think the chicks are NH red-buff orpington and Columbian wyandotte-buff orpington hybrids.


Thank you in advance

 

[sourland]

Sounds like they need more space. Mother hens peck, scratch and inadvertently knock their chicks around if their space is too limited.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Why would she abandon them if she keeps getting up to get food? She needs to eat a lot right now broody’s lose weight when brooding and after 1-2 days the mother no longer needs to be constantly sitting. The chicks are dried and active at that point so the mother will be back to foraging for food whether that is digging around or going to the feeder. The chicks will stay nearby following, but do not need to be under her constantly. Despite popular beliefs chicks do not need to be kept warm 24/7, but rather have a warm place to go if they feel chilled. If she is letting them go under her she is not rejecting them. They do need more space than a nesting box at this point or there is a good chance they could get accidentally trampled.

 

[LocalBirdEnjoyer]

Why would she abandon them if she keeps getting up to get food? 1-2 days the mother and chicks are much more active. The mother no longer needs to be constantly sitting and goes back to foraging for food whether that is digging around or going to the feeder. The chicks will stay nearby following, but do not need to be under her constantly. Despite popular beliefs chicks do not need to be kept warm 24/7, but rather have a warm place to go if they feel chilled. If she is letting them go under her she is not rejecting them. They do need more space than a nesting box at this point or there is a good chance they could get accidentally trampled.

Thank you! The reason they’re in the nesting box is because it’s much safer in there than the dog crate they were going to go into. We’ve had trouble with weasels and other animals getting into dog crates, so we were working on securing it for them. And Thea had been in her egg while we were securing it, and Nutmeg was getting nervous with all the noise.

 

[Ridgerunner]

We’ve had trouble with weasels and other animals getting into dog crates, so we were working on securing it for them......Nutmeg was getting nervous with all the noise.

Don't worry about a chick being nervous. Safety is more important. Get it done and move them.

You sound concerned and unsure of yourself. Try not to worry so much. That broody hen knows more about this by instinct than any of us ever will. Try to trust your broody hen. I understand that is not easy your first time with a broody but next time should be easier on you.

Good luck!