My Hen Went broody for the first time!!!!!! Question!

Bullet

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Hey everyone. My hen finally went broody!! So I ran and got some eggs and stuck them under her. but my question is her nesting box is up off the floor. Will the chicks get hurt trying to get out? I don't want to move her because she is very protective and growls at anyone who goes in the barn. any ideas?

Thanks!
 
First of all, are the eggs fertile?
Second, i would let them hatch , and then separate the hen and her chicks from the rest of the flock. After the chicks are three days old, make sure that they have acces to chick starter. Good luck with hatching your eggs!!!
 
Yeah They are fertile. I got them from someone I know. Thanks for the input!
 
How high is the nest? Chances are the chicks will get down fine, unless we are talking about a second story hayloft, and even then they might. They might have trouble getting back up at first, though.

If it's only up a foot or two, make a simple ramp or steps with concrete blocks, anything handy, when they hatch. You'd be surprised how far they can jump.

Not everyone here separates a broody or new mama from the flock; I don't separate the mama. I did separate her as a broody, still in the coop but in a wire cage, just to keep the others from pestering her. When the eggs hatched, I removed the cage. And I let her out every morning, plus kept food and water in the cage. A good mama will protect her chicks from the others, as needed. If you don't separate her while she sets, do mark the eggs (pencil, Sharpie) and keep a check, because they will steal and switch the eggs around.
 

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