Question about hen hatching chicks in nesting boxes...

[Cranman]

I have a hen that got broody and I let her keep 3 eggs for the last few weeks and this weekend one of them hatched. The box is no place for the chick to stay long, and to make matters worse a 2nd hen also started setting on eggs in the same box a week ago, so it's getting crowded in there.

I fear them momma hen will not leave the box since there's like 8 eggs in there now, and this chick likely won't live too many more days where she is now....suggestions? I'm thinking I'll have to set up a brooder, not my favorite thing to do especially for one chick.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You could try putting a cardboard box down on the floor and put the hen and her chick in there, to see if the hen will stay???

Make sure the edges are low enough that baby can get over to food and water. I have done this. The hen moved her babies to another box that was empty after that.