Not sure what to do (?)

KristiSinke

In the Brooder
Apr 16, 2021
7
24
44
I have a hen who’s been sitting on eggs now for almost two weeks now. Problem is she is in a small
Nesting box that is about 2 ft. Off the floor so when the chicks hatch they won’t have room to walk around. Should I put together a little nesting (straw & shavings) area for her right near the box and move the eggs and hopefully her onto the floor??
 
Moving broody's nest rarely has worked for me. More often then not I've had them give up setting or go back and set on their empty nest.
You can try it though.
I'd probably just see about putting a wide ramp from the box to the floor and hope they make it down once all hatch.
Honestly I've had chicks make that amount of drop and be fine though.
 
Yeah moving her is a bad idea. I'd just leave her there, once they have all hatched, they will be needing her warmth for the first 3 days pretty much non stop and they can survive off of the yolk they absorb for around 3 days. By then, they are moving around easily. When they are all hopping about, move them a little bit then. That's what I would do in your situation :) The mother hen will go where the babies are once they are hatched and vice versa, but moving before could stress her out, accidentally smash a precious egg or confuse her as to where to sit.
 
Moving broody's nest rarely has worked for me. More often then not I've had them give up setting or go back and set on their empty nest.
You can try it though.
I'd probably just see about putting a wide ramp from the box to the floor and hope they make it down once all hatch.
Honestly I've had chicks make that amount of drop and be fine though.
Thank you so much for your reply! Really appreciate your advice. 😊
 
Yeah moving her is a bad idea. I'd just leave her there, once they have all hatched, they will be needing her warmth for the first 3 days pretty much non stop and they can survive off of the yolk they absorb for around 3 days. By then, they are moving around easily. When they are all hopping about, move them a little bit then. That's what I would do in your situation :) The mother hen will go where the babies are once they are hatched and vice versa, but moving before could stress her out, accidentally smash a precious egg or confuse her as to where to sit.
Thank you very much for your reply! I really appreciate the advice!
Decided to just let her be & see how it works out 😊
 

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