My First Broody!

[WVduckchick]

When Charlotte hatches the chicks should I lock them in the henhouse with food and water for the first day or two so that the chicks don’t stumble down the ramp and get hurt?

Looks a little steep. Wouldn’t hurt to block them in for a few days. They will need feed and water inside of course. I usually put some inside and let momma bring them out when she’s ready. But they may need help getting up the ramp for a few days. I’ve had them learn a ramp the first night, and some have taken much longer. A week or more.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Looks a little steep. Wouldn’t hurt to block them in for a few days. They will need feed and water inside of course. I usually put some inside and let momma bring them out when she’s ready. But they may need help getting up the ramp for a few days. I’ve had them learn a ramp the first night, and some have taken much longer. A week or more.

Yes it’s a bit steep for chicks. I will lock momma and her chicks in the henhouse with food and water for maybe 2-3 after hatching.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

My Frizzle bantam hen Jane seems to have got the broody bug
She laid an egg this morning and has been giving the other girls the stink eye if they go into the nest boxes. I sectioned off an area for her and put 2 eggs for her to sit in but she isn’t impressed. She’s waiting for one of my Ameraucana pullets to lay.
Such a spoiled child.

 

[Kiki]

Yes it’s amazing!

This is why I candle everyday!

 

[nursebecky99]

When Charlotte hatches the chicks should I lock them in the henhouse with food and water for the first day or two so that the chicks don’t stumble down the ramp and get hurt?

So glad you asked this, I was wondering same

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

When Charlotte hatches the chicks should I lock them in the henhouse with food and water for the first day or two so that the chicks don’t stumble down the ramp and get hurt?

My one broody hatch handles the ramp better than the grownups. The 1st few days it probably won't venture out of the nesting box much. Just put food and water near the box and all should be good.

 

[WVduckchick]

Chicks bounce.
They don’t normally get hurt falling. The bigger problem is making sure at night, that they don’t get split up. I’ve had broodies stay outside with ones that couldn’t make it up the ramp, but I’ve also had ones go on inside with a couple chicks and call for the others, but if they can’t figure it out, they get left out. So that’s really the biggest key.

 

[nursebecky99]

My broody is in a coop/pen with 2 other hens and a Roo. Do I need to move her or them?
Can I make a “baby gate” so the big ones can still get in at night by stepping over but babies can’t get out?

 

[WVduckchick]

My broody is in a coop/pen with 2 other hens and a Roo. Do I need to move her or them?
Can I make a “baby gate” so the big ones can still get in at night by stepping over but babies can’t get out?

You can try that. All broodies are different but that could work if your others can figure it out. I did that with a broody duck on her last few days before hatch. She could get over it but if any hatched, they wouldn’t have been able to get out. She was past the time I thought they should hatch, so I wasn’t sure any were going to. Ended up with 12 of 15 eggs. Lol

You will definitely need to supervise the introduction to the others though. Some other hens can be brutal! Roosters are usually ok around little ones, but they can be mean too. So try to be sure to watch when she does start moving around with them, once they hatch. Or you can move her if you would feel more comfortable with that.
How long has she been sitting?

 

[nursebecky99]

You can try that. All broodies are different but that could work if your others can figure it out. I did that with a broody duck on her last few days before hatch. She could get over it but if any hatched, they wouldn’t have been able to get out. She was past the time I thought they should hatch, so I wasn’t sure any were going to. Ended up with 12 of 15 eggs. Lol

You will definitely need to supervise the introduction to the others though. Some other hens can be brutal! Roosters are usually ok around little ones, but they can be mean too. So try to be sure to watch when she does start moving around with them, once they hatch. Or you can move her if you would feel more comfortable with that.
How long has she been sitting?

She is on day 12, I candled last night and have 6 viable from the 7 eggs. I tossed the clear one. Trying to figure how to handle her hatch out and her coop mates. They are all young chickens, about 9 months old.
If I’m going to get anything different done for the door or moving, it needs to be soon. I will be on call starting day 14, and unable to be there at all until the evening of day 21.