~~I am a new member and I'm excited to learn as much as I can about chickens. Many years ago we had lots of chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. They free ranged our large back yard. Kids went off to college and we had to give them away.. Last year we were given 4 newly hatched chicks our neighbor couldn't keep.We ended up with 1 rooster and 3 hens. They are not free range due to a new neighbors dog that can jump our fence. They have a nice coop and large penned in area. We have chicks hatching today. Two sister hens are in a large nesting box together. So far 3 have hatched. I found one poor little guy dead on the ground. Our nesting box is 14 inches off the ground with straw on the floor. There is another hen that is brooding on a nest on the floor in the corner. Is it ok to keep the rooster separated until the hatching is over and chicks are out of the nesting box. The third hen has just starting brooding so she has 18 days til her chicks hatch. Thanks so much for your website.
Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen