Preparing for broody hatch newbie!

[Kraemer7]

Hi! We’re in lockdown for my blue ameraucana who made it to the end! She’s sitting on 3 eggs. We’re so excited. Do I really not move her at all- I don’t think she’s gotten up for food or water for a day or so.
What should I do to prepare her area for hatch? This is our first time doing this. She’s in a storage tote within a wire dog crate, and I put a gate (3ft high) outside so she has a whole wall of the coop. Do I need to cover the top (will the other chickens jump inside and bother her)? Add Just a regular chick waterer and feeder? Anything else? Tips on the first few days and weeks? Thanks!!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Do not touch. Do not move. If she is almost to the end (day 18 forward) she is in lock down.

It sounds like she has a nice private nesting box and run with the crate and cage. I would cover it so the other birds can't jump in. I find if I don't want a chicken somewhere, sure enough, that's exactly where they want to go. You don't want the chicks tromped on.

Keep gravity waterer and feeder. I like to put ACV (apple cider vinegar, about a tablespoon) into the quart waterer. I use chick starter for momma and chicks.

I've done a LOT of broody hatching from main coop to isolated coop. I've had GREAT successes and utter failures. I've learned if I am very serious about my hatch to keep momma separated with babes until babes are 2 weeks old. They are fleet of foot and can fly so that they can maneuver almost any coop ramp and stay out of foot traffic. I also find a lot less stupid chick tricks happen after 2 weeks of age (the dumb wandering away and chilling to death).

Good luck with your hatch.

LofMc.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

No need to move her. If it’s day 18 or later it’s lockdown and she won’t get off the nest until the chicks are hatched and fluffed. I would also cover the top as the others chickens may try to attack the chicks once they hatch.
Make sure that the chicks can’t escape through the sides of the cage to where the other hens are and that the hens can’t poke a head through to peck at them. I would make sure to have something solid or hardware cloth for this reason.

 

[Kraemer7]

Do not touch. Do not move. If she is almost to the end (day 18 forward) she is in lock down.

It sounds like she has a nice private nesting box and run with the crate and cage. I would cover it so the other birds can't jump in. I find if I don't want a chicken somewhere, sure enough, that's exactly where they want to go. You don't want the chicks tromped on.

Keep gravity waterer and feeder. I like to put ACV (apple cider vinegar, about a tablespoon) into the quart waterer. I use chick starter for momma and chicks.

I've done a LOT of broody hatching from main coop to isolated coop. I've had GREAT successes and utter failures. I've learned if I am very serious about my hatch to keep momma separated with babes until babes are 2 weeks old. They are fleet of foot and can fly so that they can maneuver almost any coop ramp and stay out of foot traffic. I also find a lot less stupid chick tricks happen after 2 weeks of age (the dumb wandering away and chilling to death).

Good luck with your hatch.

LofMc.

Thank you! It’s ok if momma doesn’t leave the maternity area for 2 weeks (it doesn’t have outside access), or should I remove her once a day or so?

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Thank you! It’s ok if momma doesn’t leave the maternity area for 2 weeks (it doesn’t have outside access), or should I remove her once a day or so?

If she has food, water and a place to poop and is getting off the nest to eat and drink she should be fine. If she hasn’t been off the nest in over 24hrs and it’s before day 18. Her crop is completely flat and she hasn’t pooped than you may want to carefully remove her to let her eat and drink and let her go back after about 20 minutes.
Most hens will only get off the nest once maybe 2x in a 24hr period though so it’s possible you just aren’t seeing her get up.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thank you! It’s ok if momma doesn’t leave the maternity area for 2 weeks (it doesn’t have outside access), or should I remove her once a day or so?

I prefer not to interfere with my mommas. I have not had a hen yet not get up and eat and drink. They usually do it very quickly while you aren't looking. In 10 years, I've only had to pull one hen off of an endless brood (a Silkie).

Yes. Momma can stay in the nursery area as long as she has room to dust bathe, eat, drink, and poo. Momma will really hang close to the babes for the first week. She does a lot of setting while they nap during that week. The second week you will see more activity. By the end of 2 weeks, momma is very ready to move out of the nursery as the little darlings are flying around chasing each other.

Good luck
LofMc

 

[Kraemer7]

I prefer not to interfere with my mommas. I have not had a hen yet not get up and eat and drink. They usually do it very quickly while you aren't looking. In 10 years, I've only had to pull one hen off of an endless brood (a Silkie).

Yes. Momma can stay in the nursery area as long as she has room to dust bathe, eat, drink, and poo. Momma will really hang close to the babes for the first week. She does a lot of setting while they nap during that week. The second week you will see more activity. By the end of 2 weeks, momma is very ready to move out of the nursery as the little darlings are flying around chasing each other.

Good luck
LofMc

It took 24 days and I had just about given up hope- but 3/3 eggs hatched! It’s so amazing to see.