Mama hen hatched 4, then left the nest

[QChickieMama]

This mama hatched 4 healthy chicks yesterday. She has 4 more eggs under her. She left the top level of the coop which had food, water, soaked food, nest with eggs and her chicks, and went down to the grass. I can't figure why she is staying down there. I can't quite reach her with my hand to see if she's ok.

She seems unstable on her legs as she tried to get away from my hand. I ended up putting the 4 chilly chicks under her. Hoping they all make it through the night ok. I gave the other 4 eggs to another broody in hopes that they'll be viable.

Why would this mama stay down in the grass? Was I supposed to close off her access to the grass? I know she's hungry and hasn't been foraging much for 3 weeks. Why did she leave the nest at all? She had all she needed, and one of the eggs had pipped.

Thoughts?

 

[My Bagurks]

I’ve noticed that my hens will sit on eggs in the favorite few nesting boxes that are on top. And within the first few days of hatching, they go down to the ground. I’m assuming it’s instinct so the chicks won’t wander off of a “cliff”. I’ve also seen mama hens take their kiddos foraging when the chicks were under a week old. Seems like a she’s just getting an early start on everything. Is she caring for the chicks? Is she making a purring/chirping sound to get them to follow her around?

 

[Shadrach]

This mama hatched 4 healthy chicks yesterday. She has 4 more eggs under her. She left the top level of the coop which had food, water, soaked food, nest with eggs and her chicks, and went down to the grass. I can't figure why she is staying down there. I can't quite reach her with my hand to see if she's ok.

She seems unstable on her legs as she tried to get away from my hand. I ended up putting the 4 chilly chicks under her. Hoping they all make it through the night ok. I gave the other 4 eggs to another broody in hopes that they'll be viable.

Why would this mama stay down in the grass? Was I supposed to close off her access to the grass? I know she's hungry and hasn't been foraging much for 3 weeks. Why did she leave the nest at all? She had all she needed, and one of the eggs had pipped.

Thoughts?

I think you've answered your own question; she's hungry and weak from it.
How much of what has she been eating while she's been sitting?

 

[QChickieMama]

I think you've answered your own question; she's hungry and weak from it.
How much of what has she been eating while she's been sitting?

I didn't see her eat her grain much at all during her 3 weeks of sitting. Since the hatch, she's been steadily munching the soaked grain--and telling the chicks to eat it, too. She's also eating the grass & clover on the ground level.

The mama and the chicks seem ok this morning, but they're at risk on the ground. One of my dogs tried to dig into their pen last night.

Hoping the mama is walking around today.

 

[Shadrach]

I didn't see her eat her grain much at all during her 3 weeks of sitting. Since the hatch, she's been steadily munching the soaked grain--and telling the chicks to eat it, too. She's also eating the grass & clover on the ground level.

The mama and the chicks seem ok this morning, but they're at risk on the ground. One of my dogs tried to dig into their pen last night.

Hoping the mama is walking around today.

What is the grain?
The hen and the chicks need a balanced diet and that includes whatever it is you feed them.

 

[QChickieMama]

What is the grain?
The hen and the chicks need a balanced diet and that includes whatever it is you feed them.

It's a layer mix I get from the local feed store. No additives or antibiotics. It's kinda powdery so getting it wet helps them get all of it.

 

[aart]

It's a layer mix I get from the local feed store. No additives or antibiotics. It's kinda powdery so getting it wet helps them get all of it.

What are the protein and calcium percentages?
Chicks will do better with a higher protein(~20%) and low calcium(~1-2%)

 

[Shadrach]

It's a layer mix I get from the local feed store. No additives or antibiotics. It's kinda powdery so getting it wet helps them get all of it.

For future reference the next time you have a broody hen.
Don't feed them at the nest site. You may leave water but not food.
Get them off the nest every day. Make sure they fully wake out of the trance. You need to see them standing and moving.
Supply feed when they first get of the nest and again when they go back to sitting.
Allow them to dust bath every day if they will.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

I agree with @Shadrach. I would add that you need to provide a safe space for her to raise her chicks. They aren’t as mobile as a full grown chicken and need a predator proof shelter at ground level. They won’t be able to navigate ramps or stairs at first.

 

[Mrs. K]

Mine always leave the nest within 12 hours, and mine have the chicks outside within 24 hours. I figure she knows more about it than I do. Mine are pretty agile and very quick fairly soon. If she is talking to them, feeding them, it will be fine.

Mrs K