New to this - need help

[Laceykk]

I have a broody hen laying on 2 eggs that I know are doing well. One is suspected to hatch tomorrow so I’m not touching it. The trouble is that the hen is in the nesting box all 19 chickens use and it’s a foot off the ground. I can’t move her and the eggs safely at this point. I closed all the other chickens out for the day but I don’t want to do that overnight since the others don’t have anywhere to roost overnight (fenced and covered run). Do I leave them outside until the chick hatches and move mom and baby (plus a day 7 egg) to a cage of some sort? There is an old chicken tractor in the run big enough for 3 chickens I considered using for mom and chick. Or would a dog crate in the coop be better? Eek. Two problems. What to do until hatch and how to separate safely. Thank you for your help!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

You are not set up to hatch obviously. It was something to consider 20 days ago. The chances are that the other hens might become a threat. If they do indeed hatch, I would place them in a brooder in your home until they become older/bigger. It is the only get out of jail card I can come up with.
If I was in your shoes, I would be preparing a heated brooder and having it on stand by. Good Luck.

 

[andreanar]

I had the same situation. My broody and her eggs were up off the ground. I fenced her area off from the other girls while she sat for the 21 days. Today is hatch day and 2 have started hatching. I moved her whole nest into a cage inside the coop. All is well now, babies are safe from falling and safe from the big hens, but still will be in view of the flock.

 

[Laceykk]

I had the same situation. My broody and her eggs were up off the ground. I fenced her area off from the other girls while she sat for the 21 days. Today is hatch day and 2 have started hatching. I moved her whole nest into a cage inside the coop. All is well now, babies are safe from falling and safe from the big hens, but still will be in view of the flock.

Thank you for understanding. How did you move the whole nest? She’s basically sitting in a small attached box with pine shavings in it. She seems to be a good mom. Hasn’t moved in days. Can I leave everyone out for the night safely? It’s covered and fenced but not set up for sleeping and animals could dig under. Also how do I know when it hatches and before it falls?

 

[andreanar]

Thank you for understanding. How did you move the whole nest? She’s basically sitting in a small attached box with pine shavings in it. She seems to be a good mom. Hasn’t moved in days. Can I leave everyone out for the night safely? It’s covered and fenced but not set up for sleeping and animals could dig under. Also how do I know when it hatches and before it falls?

My nests are movable. I counted 21 days since she started sitting on the eggs, I checked the eggs all the time lol so as soon as I saw a pip, I moved her.
If your situation was mine, I would wait until night time and move her into a cage inside the coop. Set her in it right on top of the eggs. You can make her a temporary nest with a box or crate turned on its side. I'd be too worried that she wasn't safe outside