My hen is brooding in the Garage - about 10’off the ground. Will the chicks float to the ground?

[AngelaMa]

Now that all the eggs have hatched, I would move them all TONIGHT. Mama won't be happy, but that would be safest for the chicks. Mama shouldn't abandon her babies now. If you gab the mama, have someone hold her while you scoop up the chicks and put them into the kiddie pool and then put mama in the pool. That should work well.

I'm scared to move her! I don't want her to start flapping around with me while I'm up on a ladder. Also, hurricane coming maybe today or tonight. They might all be safer up there. I'd like to wait one more night....

 

[Fishkeeper]

Take the chicks away and put them safely in a box, mama might follow them down. If not, pick her up and gently toss her down to the ground. She should be able to flutter down and land safely, especially if there's any kind of soft padding on the floor.
I'd take them down and bring them inside if there's a hurricane coming. Baby chicks aren't resistant to things like high winds and pouring rain.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Take the chicks away and put them safely in a box, mama might follow them down. If not, pick her up and gently toss her down to the ground. She should be able to flutter down and land safely, especially if there's any kind of soft padding on the floor.
I'd take them down and bring them inside if there's a hurricane coming. Baby chicks aren't resistant to things like high winds and pouring rain.

I agree

 

[AngelaMa]

OK. Now I have mites! Can I use diatomaceous earth with the hatchlings?

 

[Redhead Rae]

OK. Now I have mites! Can I use diatomaceous earth with the hatchlings?

I think you use permetherin dust on the mama and she'll dust the babies.

@KikisGirls is that right?

 

[arrowti]

Our chicks jumped out of their nest within a few hours of being hatched... fortunately they were only a foot off the ground and the floor was thick pine shavings. I would move them down as soon as possible and get them somewhere safe. Mom should follow her chicks anywhere at this point.

 

[AngelaMa]

Thank you all for advice to get the hatchlings down! It was actually pretty easy. I had moved the nest box (with everybody in it) into the kidde pool. I went to get something, and when I came back and climbed up the ladder, the hen was up where the nest box had been previously, and the chicks were alone in the box. I snached it up and took them to the ground floor and put them in a big cardboard box I had prepared. Sure enough, mom came flying down and reunited with the chicks.

 

[arrowti]

That's great!

I hope you and your birds stay safe during the Hurricane!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Good luck! Do keep us updated about the hurricane. Best of luck!

 

[Fishkeeper]

Not relevant to you, but certain species of ducks do nest high up in tree cavities, and the babies jump out shortly after hatching. They're over leaf litter or water, most of the time, so they have a pretty soft landing. Wood ducks are one species that do that. Chickens are not, they're supposed to be ground nesters. I guess your gal got creative.