Please help. Moving nest

[Bellchicks18]

I have three broody hens that have been laying on eggs for awhile. They are free range, so they laid their eggs in my barn. I had just had my baby so I didn’t pick the eggs up and now they are broody. I didn’t think anything about it but this morning when I was in the barn a noticed one of the cats got a chick. . The cats leave the adult hens alone but I guess the chicks are to similar to the small animals they catch. Can I move the hens and the remaining eggs. We have a coop but these girls don’t like it and have never slept in there with the other hens or roosters. If I can move them would a box or crate where the chicks can’t get out be fine?

 

[ashlierami]

I have three broody hens that have been laying on eggs for awhile. They are free range, so they laid their eggs in my barn. I had just had my baby so I didn’t pick the eggs up and now they are broody. I didn’t think anything about it but this morning when I was in the barn a noticed one of the cats got a chick. . The cats leave the adult hens alone but I guess the chicks are to similar to the small animals they catch. Can I move the hens and the remaining eggs. We have a coop but these girls don’t like it and have never slept in there with the other hens or roosters. If I can move them would a box or crate where the chicks can’t get out be fine?

If you want to keep the chicks you need to move then away from any predators asap. I would do this at night if your girls are the type to be easily spooked. In my experience when I move my hens they stay with the eggs and chicks wherever I put them. They need to be in a place where they aren't bothered. Once they hatch the mothers will take them out. For now you can use a box or crate but once the chicks are hatched and mama wants to leave they will need to be able to get out of the box or crate. My hens have waited 3 days and some of my Mama's take the babies out on day on depending how eager they all are.

 

[Bellchicks18]

I haven’t wanted to candle the eggs since there is no dark area in the barn and I don’t want to keep the eggs away from the hen the amount of time it would talk me to walk to the house and back. I did move two hens and their eggs into a crate that has an opening on the side for them to easily walk in and out of. They didn’t seem to mind at all. There were two eggs starting to pipping.

It’s been a couple of hours since I moved the hens. I checked to make sure they didn’t abandon the eggs. They stayed! From what I could see there are two babies so far.

 

[ashlierami]

I haven’t wanted to candle the eggs since there is no dark area in the barn and I don’t want to keep the eggs away from the hen the amount of time it would talk me to walk to the house and back. I did move two hens and their eggs into a crate that has an opening on the side for them to easily walk in and out of. They didn’t seem to mind at all. There were two eggs starting to pipping.

It’s been a couple of hours since I moved the hens. I checked to make sure they didn’t abandon the eggs. They stayed! From what I could see there are two babies so far.

That is fantastic! You could candle them tonight and see what's going to hatch and what isn't. Good luck and congrats on your new chickies as well as your own baby.

 

[Bellchicks18]

Thank you! Will all the chicks be born within the next day?

 

[ashlierami]

Thank you! Will all the chicks be born within the next day?

They could be or could be over the next few days. Some eggs may of been laid days apart from the Mama's or different hens if you have other girls so some might not be as far along. I would candle and see what's viable and get an idea of how far along most are. You should be able to see good movement and a full egg if they are close to hatch.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are they safe from the cats in their new location?

 

[ashlierami]

Are they safe from the cats in their new location?

If they are in an enclosed location that is predator proof they should be fine. If they are in an open spot then the cats or something else will and can find them in the night. Raccoons, oppossums, snakes all like baby chicks.

 

[Bellchicks18]

They are safe. I but them in one of the pins that we put our new baby lamb and mamas in. Since we aren’t expecting any lambs anytime soon and the pin has been cleaned.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They are safe. I but them in one of the pins that we put our new baby lamb and mamas in. Since we aren’t expecting any lambs anytime soon and the pin has been cleaned.

That's great news!