WARNING Don't put a broody hen with chicks in DEEP litter.

[joebryant]

I have lost four of ten baby bbs Orpington chicks that I put with a bbs Orpington broody hen in a 4x10 coop with four inches of pine shavings. she was teaching them to scratch; meanwhile she buried those behind her alive.

 

[dandelionheart]

So sad.

But I'm glad to know and happy that you shared... I wouldn't have even thought it could be such a unsafe environment for chicks.

 

[JanieMarie]

Are they OK? Did you just lose them or did they die? I have a broody with 5 chicks. They are on straw but she's scratched part of the coop down to bare floor and part is a foot high pile of straw! She keeps burying the food and water but so far hasn't buried the chicks. I think. Hope yours are OK!