Three days away from my first hatch...couple of questions.

[Coreyboy18]

Okay, so I have a broody sitting on eleven eggs right now. She has been sitting in the nesting box which is about eighteen inches off of the ground. I tried to move her to a dog kennel but she kept trying to get out and not sitting on the eggs. Anyway, I know once the chicks hatch this will be a bad place for them to be. I have a smaller coop attached to the run that isn't being used, so I was thinking about moving her there with the babies after they hatch. My worry is that she'll be persistent on trying to get out of there and neglect the chicks. Anyone have any input on this?

Next question: I only have one other chicken (due to a raccoon). While she has been broody, the other chicken has stayed away from her and known her boundaries. Will this change once the eggs hatch? I just don't want the lonely girl messing with the chicks. Which brings me to the mother hen. This is her first time with chicks, so will I have to worry about her at all?

Last question: This is my first time hatching and while I've read tons on hatching and whatnot, I was wondering if anyone has any tips or helpful input for a first-timer. I have been pretty laid back about it, and I don't plan on standing over her while they hatch. I've pretty much just let her do her thing with the exception of taking her off the nest to eat and drink when I thought she needed it. I set the eggs on the 10th so I expect them on the 30th or 1st. I know there are babies because she accidentally cracked one pretty bad (although the membrane didn't break), so I took it out to avoid any mess and there was a fetus on the inside of it. Anyway, I am excited for her and just want to know if anyone has anything extra. Thanks in advance for any help and I'll be sure to post some pictures when they hatch.

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Corey

 

[heatherscreations1969]

I have had 3 broody's in the past, they all set and hatch in with the main flock.....mama's do a great job protecting their broods, even the first timers

The babies will stay under mama the first and second day, but she will try to move them on the 3rd or 4th day......I would move her and her babies to a nest on the floor on the 2nd or 3rd night while they are calm....its best if you get someone to help you so you can move them all in one go, that way nobody gets too stressed...........If the box she is in isn't too high, could you put her a ramp up for her to bring the babies down?

*hugs* Heather x

 

[bufforphington]

i have my broody hen in a dog crate. it's a good size but can i not keep her in there once the chicks are starting to hatch/while she's raising them??

 

[Coreyboy18]

...could you put her a ramp up for her to bring the babies down?

*hugs* Heather x

No, the nesting box is a little high for that I think at eighteen inches. I believe it would make the ramp too steep. Though in the smaller coop I could construct a ramp and they'd be just fine. Good idea with constructing a ramp though, I may look into that when I get home. Thanks!

 

[Coreyboy18]

i have my broody hen in a dog crate. it's a good size but can i not keep her in there once the chicks are starting to hatch/while she's raising them??

I can't speak from experience, but had mine taken to the dog crate I would have moved them out at night a couple days after the hatch. Good to know that they'll mix with the other chicken right away.