Need advice on broody hen/chick's kennel flooring

australorpchick

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So my little silkie hen, Snowflake, went broody almost 3 weeks ago. This weekend should be 21 days. She is sitting on 6 standard eggs. This will be our first hatch and we're very excited. I never got a chance to candle, but the eggs feel slightly heavier and nothing smells bad, so I think it's going well. I tried sectioning off part of the coop for her, but the big girls kept sneaking in and laying/leaving eggs with Snowflake. Luckily, I marked the eggs that she was going to keep. Due to time constraints, I wasn't able to build anything that would completely block them off without completely blocking me off. Last weekend, I moved Snowflake into an XL plastic dog kennel in the run (not enough floor space to leave it in the coop). I have pine shavings in there right now. I've read many posts stating that shavings in a brooder box can be dangerous for chicks. I'm going to leave the chicks with Snowflake. Should I remove the shavings and put papertowels down?
 
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Sometimes brooder chicks do eat shavings. I would just make sure the food and water are low enough for the chicks to reach, and open the crate door when they finish hatching. She should show them what to eat and drink, and protect them from any aggressive flock mates.
 

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