Unsure what to do!

[CasadasHens]

In that case, you could move her to a deeper cardboard box on the ground that she cannot get out of, until you are sure she is staying on the eggs, then you can cut out the doorway. She is more likely to stay on the eggs if you move them in the evening, I believe.

 

[CasadasHens]

Good luck with it all, keep calm! It is time for bed for me now, here in Portugal......

 

[Mommylarson]

Thank you! I think I'll move her at roost time and check on her before bedtime. I'll update in the morning.

 

[Mommylarson]

Well, I tried moving her and she went right back to her box! I found some cardboard and lined the box with it. Still worried about the chicks being too high off the ground. Maybe she will stay on the ground after they hatch!

 

[Mommylarson]

I went and checked on them this morning, and one has pipped! I am going to try to move her and the chicks after they finish hatching. They need to go closer to the ground.

 

[kaseythomas86]

Aww yea!!

 

[Mommylarson]

Ok, so do I move her after both eggs hatch or after the first hatches and move the other egg? I really just don't want them to fall out of the nest!

 

[Mommylarson]

Also, is it normal for the hen to kind of push the egg out while it's hatching?

 

[Mommylarson]

You would think I was the one hatching a chick! I sat out in the coop for 2 hours! Just watching and waiting!

 

[Mommylarson]

As of this morning both chicks have successfully hatched! I moved them all to the new box on the ground. It seemed to be going ok, but twice now I have found mama hen back up in the old box!!!!! I had to physically move her back to the chicks! how long do I need to wait to make sure she will stay with the chicks? Help please!