Nesting Hen

[juneauwendy]

Hello from Juneau Alaska! I have four lovely hens, and one was broody, so I purchased a dozen fertilized eggs and put them under her, she is so happy now! They are due on July 23rd... my question is when should I seperate the hen and chicks from the others? Might the other hens be mean to the babies?
Also, the nesting box in in a house with a tall ladder, what would be the best way to get them into their new home?
Appreciate any advice, thanks,
Wendy

 

[Gonzo]

Hi and welcome! I love your first name btw! (mine is Wendy too!) I would seperate the momma & the babies from the other hens, so they are not picked on. Other hens have been know to attack and kill other hens chicks. : )

 

[stuckinthecity]

with just four hens though, you might be able to let her raise her babies within the flock!

You could seperate her untill the chicks are "up and running" like maybe 5- a week old and then put them in a big cage within the coop of the other hens for about... 3-4 days? Let them out and watch what happens?

of course the most effective way is to move her and isolate her...

 

[gritsar]

I think it's best to move her and her eggs in plenty of time for her to get settled in her new surroundings before hatch time. The set up I have, for the broody I'll never get

is a wire dog crate inside the coop. That way the mama can set on her eggs undisturbed and when the chicks hatch they are protected inside the crate with mom.
It's best to move the hen at night.