Two-Story Broody?

[DaveMorehouse]

Hi.

One of my Easter Eggers went broody in the spare chicken coop. (That's good!) It is one of those two-story Tractor Supply jobs with the roost and nest boxes above and the run below with a ramp. The eggs should hatch Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Here's my question - What will happen when the mother goes down the ramp for a drink or a bite of food? Will the very young chicks follow her out the door opening and down the ramp only to be stranded and die from the chill? (We live on Lake Superior and our nights are 40-55 degrees right now. Days are 65.)

Should I cover the door opening and put food/water inside the roost for a few days? Will that bother mama?

We have never had a broody before so I am in the dark as to what to do next. Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts.

Dave

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your hen will remain on the nest until all have hatched which can take 2-3 days. I would block the bottom part off otherwise you risk a wandering chick getting stuck away from mom and chilling. Your chicks won't be able to negotiate the ramp reliably until they are a few weeks old so you may have troubles.

I would definitely put food and water close to the hen after the chicks hatch. She will probably remain on the nest for up to a week before moving off. You may want to move her and her brood somewhere else after that so everyone is on the same level.

 

[SIMZ]

I have a similar TSC coop. The hen will stay with her chicks and keep them from freezing. It's been my experience that it (almost always) takes chicks at least a week to be able to navigate ramps and get into coops. It seems to take them even a little bit longer to figure that TSC coop out.

She won't leave to get a drink for the first day or so, so leave food and water by her and you can close the door for just that first day once you notice chicks. When she's up and screaming at the door go ahead and let her out. Some chicks will follow her and she'll keep calling them until they all come out. Make sure there is food and water at the bottom if that's where they end up.

The time you need to be concerned is when she goes up for the night. You're probably going to have to round them up and get them upstairs until you no longer find any running around and screaming down there. lol Good times! The hen will be convinced that you are coming to kidnap all of her babies.

Best of luck! It's so fun watching a hen with her chicks!

 

[SIMZ]

Also - I'd suggest keeping the bottom of that coop closed for 3-5 days to keep them all enclosed in that one area so they can't wander around a bigger yard. My hens leave their little coops with chicks usually on the 2nd day, but chicks don't do well following the hen around obstacles for the first few days. That enclosed run on the TSC coop is a disaster and there are always a few that get stranded either in or out on those first few days.

 

[DaveMorehouse]

Thanks to everyone for your help. BYCers are fantastic!

Thanks again,
Dave