Moving mama, chick and egg?

[Jenjens]

My hen just hatched an egg and another is waiting. She is in a cubby in the coop. I have never had a broody. They hens have all been shockingly, good to her, but am worried about the baby.

1st question: i don't think she has pooped in 2 days. What should I do? She is also panting heavily and its only 60f here.

2nd question: I want to separate them in a cage, but then how does momma get out to poop? I would keep the crate in the coop.

Where she is now is not going to work because it is a tiny area and if I put the food and water in there, she literally cannot get out or even move. The crate would be bigger.

Also I can't get the chick to drink water. I have tried a few things, but since it is chilly, she (hopefully) doesn't stay long from under momma.

Thank you!

 

[SilverBirds]

Have you made sure she is eating and drinking? What does the crate look like? Broodies are a lot easier to move once the chicks hatch vs moving during incubation. You should be able to pick her up and set her in the crate with the egg and chick and she'll make herself at home. The chick doesn't need to eat or drink for the first 2-3 days so don't be worried. Mom will show the chicks where the food and water is when they are ready.

 

[Jenjens]

Yes she is eating and drinking. The crate is a large wire dog kennel.
Do i close it all up? Then how does she get out to poop?

 

[SilverBirds]

Yes she is eating and drinking. The crate is a large wire dog kennel.
Do i close it all up? Then how does she get out to poop?

She should just poop on the ground.

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

So I recently had 2 broodies hatch out some eggs. I did move them from the coop to a safer space with the chicks. I had them in a large dog kennel as well. If you have some spare time and want to sit out there with her, you can open the crate door so she can come out to use the bathroom, dust, etc. My other broody hen is dusting that's why she wasn't in the pic. She loves to get up and walk around. Hopefully this helps you out some!

 

[Jenjens]

Thank you!