My chicks are hatching!

[thejohnsie]

My chicks are hatching under my broody. This is my first time ever. I have her in a seperate broody pen which has a small place to walk around, eat and drink and is attached to the run but has a door between them. When should I open the run to them? Right now I have 8 pullets that should be laying any time and one banty rooster that is friendly. I have blocked them from the run so I wouldn't have to worry about them hurting the babies. Also the broody is top of the pecking order but has been out of the coop for about a week. WIll she protect them? Can I let them out to free range as I do all of my other chickens? Also, can chicks walk down a little chicken ladder to the ground? The broody pen in about 2 feet of the ground. Here is a picture of one of my babies.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[sumi]

Congrats on the hatch! Keep the mom and chick(s) separate for a bit, then introduce them under supervision. Sometimes the rest of the flock will attack the chicks, some don't. Best to keep an eye at first. A good broody will protect her chicks. One of mine beat up a hawk a few weeks ago when it tried to take one of her babies! They should be able to use the ramp, if the hen shows them. And they'll love free ranging with mom. Just watch out for predators! If mom was out of action for awhile she'll need to re-establish her top spot in the pecking order. Leave them to it. They'll sort themselves out. Enjoy your babies!

 

[thejohnsie]

Thanks for the info!