We have a Broody hen situation due to a family emergency that distracted us from the timing.
The hen and eggs stayed in the milk crate nest box in the vertical position, so the opening is at the top.
They started hatching last night (Mon, 4/11) and we rushed to prepare the area for brooding, but we couldn't fix the crate issue while they were hatching. We've waited today for Broody hen to decide to take a break for water so we could rush in and shift things, but she hasn't so much as stood up all day. We hear the cheeping and can see the broken eggshells around her. There is no way for the chicks to get out of the vertical milk crate to get to water and food. There were 8 eggs. Broody is a first-time mom.
Should we lift her by force and swap the nest box as quickly as we can? How would you handle the situation? Thanks for any help!
The hen and eggs stayed in the milk crate nest box in the vertical position, so the opening is at the top.
They started hatching last night (Mon, 4/11) and we rushed to prepare the area for brooding, but we couldn't fix the crate issue while they were hatching. We've waited today for Broody hen to decide to take a break for water so we could rush in and shift things, but she hasn't so much as stood up all day. We hear the cheeping and can see the broken eggshells around her. There is no way for the chicks to get out of the vertical milk crate to get to water and food. There were 8 eggs. Broody is a first-time mom.
Should we lift her by force and swap the nest box as quickly as we can? How would you handle the situation? Thanks for any help!
