Step by step needed for the broody noobie!

[Mobilelyn]

I have my first broody (for her & I) who is on day 13 of sitting on a clutch of 7.

She is in an extra large dog crate, in my garage, with cardboard surrounding the sides & woodchips.

My questions are for the hatching:
1) When they hatch, should I leave them in with Momma, or remove them to another place, as they hatch, to dry?

B) Should I remove the majority of the wood chips & put down something more chick- friendly like puppy pads/shelf paper?

Fourth) What other need to know tips/advice for when they do hatch?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chicken Girl1]

I've hatched with a broody once and when the chicks hatch you should leave them with there mother to dry off underneath her. I just used straw or pine shavings. I advise you to read some articles in the learning center. Here are a few:
Letting Broody Hens Hatch & Raise Chicks

Broody Hens

Pictures of a Chick Hatching

The All New: How to Train Your Chicken!

 

[Judy]

I move mama and chicks in with the rest of the flock within 24 hours or so of hatch, when the mama leaves the nest to take the chicks to eat. Some people prefer to keep them separate from the flock, but if you do, when the mama stops mothering them, usually around 6 to 8 weeks, you will probably need to keep the chicks separate from the rest of the flock til they are near adult size, or another 3 or 4 months or so.

Here are some links for further reading:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens

 

[Mobilelyn]

Thanks for the links! I had read some of them but missed another in my readings.

I really do know this stuff, I think I am being a nervous nellie. I was all super cool until last night when we did our candling and saw those little buggers growing!

Thanks again for replies!

 

[Judy]

Hahaha! You will love fussing over them, then. I hope you are able to let the chicks grow up in the flock, because they make great chicken TV!

 

[Mobilelyn]

I am buying a separate Silkie coop They will become their own flock. I can't wait: One week left