Nest boxes too high for new babies?!

[mtma]

Hi! I have five broody hens, each in their own box in our small-coop-turned-maternity-ward. The food and water are on the floor, but there is not room for all five to set and hatch floor level. I heard the first peep and saw a pip tonight under the momma on the top middle box. Mom still has about 5 unhatched eggs under her. Do I move them to the floor in the morning after the first one hatches? If so, what do I do when the other four hens start hatching their eggs in the next few days/week? I'm just worried about the height and access to food and water. There is not room for additional floor level boxes. Our other coop is plenty big, but is full of other chickens. Thank you.

 

[Smileybans]

Is there room to put a ramp? I’ve had chicks be able to walk up ramps if I put bumps on the ramp. And don’t make the angle too steep.

 

[mtma]

Is there room to put a ramp? I’ve had chicks be able to walk up ramps if I put bumps on the ramp. And don’t make the angle too steep.

Thanks. I'll make one this morning!

 

[AkdavisOK]

Same problem here and to steep for a ramp. Leave them in nesting box until all hatch? Or move them to floor or brooder box? Or remove the hatched chicks only? Thank you for your help.

 

[neo71665]

I would remove the chicks. If they can't easily get back under momma they can be killed or die.

 

[AkdavisOK]

Do you think the chicken will raise them after all have hatched (if i put them back together in a house of their own)? For future I will move them as soon as she is broody to keep this from happening.

 

[neo71665]

If you remove them there is a good chance she will not take them back. Why I only let one hen hatch at a time and I move her to a hatching cage. She then raises her babies till they are big enough to be released back to the main flock.

 

[AkdavisOK]

Idea? Would it disrupt everything if I put food and water in the nesting box and a screen to keep them all in there?

 

[mtma]

Idea? Would it disrupt everything if I put food and water in the nesting box and a screen to keep them all in there?

I think that's what I'm going to try. No screen, but access to food/water

 

[AkdavisOK]

If I don’t screen don’t you think the chicks will fall out and not get back?