Silly question

[Bessann]

After four years of having chickens and trying to breed (I was never able to get one to set) I finally have an old brahma on the nest. I'm expecting hatch day this week. My hen house sits about 3 feet off the ground and is totally fenced in. They use a narrow ramp which is a little steep. My question is when my widdies as they are referred to in sw VA hatch, should I put a small house ground leveland will mamma use it. I'm afraid the widdies won't be able to get up the ramp if they were to jump or fall out. I really wasn't prepared or planning her to actually go broody. Any suggestions or should I just take them when they hatch an hand raise which I really don't want to do.

 

[drumstick diva]

It's not a silly question, I just am not sure how to answer. Broody hens tend to hate being moved. It can often upset them to the point they will leave the nest. Would it be possible to enclose the area where you broody is nesting, so any chicks would not fall out or be attacked by other hens?

Once eggs are all hatched, you could move her and babies to some lower area if possible. IF she did abandon them you could raise them in a brooder.

I think you may get much better advice if you ask on one of the many hatching threads.........

 

[Bessann]

Thank you for answering I did mean after they have hached I have a small house good for the purpose that I can put on the ground and in the pen I just wasn't sure she would nest there. Would I need to find a way to sort of segregate her in the area with the ground level house till they are big enough to get in and out of the big house. My pen has a top and I elevated the house to keep away predators I would put them in Kevlar vest if I could lol

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. I agree with DD that you will get possibly more comprehensive advice in the forum she mentions. Providing your coop is large, and there is no overcrowding, AND your momma can hold her own against other flock members, it may be worth trying to re-jig your ramp up to the coop and leaving them within the main coop. It will cause less stress on momma and mean that your chicks are fully integrated from day 1. There would be no harm in giving your mum and chicks some personal space, but it would be important to let them out of the coop also.

All the best and let us know how things go.
CT

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Bessann, and . Great to have you aboard. Hope you get your questions answered. Best wishes to you!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you. Definitely separate mama... I like to use big dog crates or plastic storage bins as broody coops, great place for them to raise their chicks.