We inherited a coop and small flock

[Shamo Hybrid]

Yeah.... make sure the baby chicks have access to food and water! I would take them down from that nesting box.

 

[Fowl Mama]

Yeah.... make sure the baby chicks have access to food and water! I would take them down from that nesting box.

Only 1 has hatched so far. Maybe she needs her own space so the current chick can access food and water as needed? Once they’ve all hatched should the remain seperated from the rest of the flock to they don’t get hurt by the roosters???

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

It would be ideal to have the baby chicks with momma hen, but she's gonna want to go back up to that roost leaving the chicks stranded up there with no access to food or water. If you want them to be together, you should find a way to block off the roosts and maybe set milk crate or some temporary roost on the floor and see if she takes to it. Then make sure the chicks can reach their food at water, you would want to grab a few chicks and put their beaks into the water so they will know how to drink from it.

Or you can go the other route and brood them by yourself, keeping them in their own enclosure (think big plastic totes) and give leave food and water in there for them. After 2 or 3 weeks , introduce them back to the flock.

 

[kwhites634]

If it's any consolation, my most recent broody hatch 2 in the coop with four other birds, one being the rooster that sired them. Never a problem, and they're over a month old now; been with the flock from day one.

 

[CannedMonster]

A good mother hen shouldn’t roost until the chicks are older.
She normally would stay down on the ground with them, keeping them warm and protected throughout the night.
A milk crate can work or some kind of box or bin that she can fit into with the chicks for sleeping at night.
A dog crate/carrier (propped open) or large covered kitty litter bin would be ideal.
Is this coop predator proof?
That water in there looks nasty in the photo. I wouldn’t want chicks drinking that.

 

[Fowl Mama]

I think it could be more predator proof. This coop is not designed for caring for chicks. Sigh...do you think I could keep the mama and nest in a wire dog kennel here at the house with their own food and water? Separated from my existing birds. It’s about 3x2x2 and then put a crate with her nesting material in it? I can keep in our screened in porch by day and maybe inside at night?

 

[CannedMonster]

I think it could be more predator proof. This coop is not designed for caring for chicks. Sigh...do you think I could keep the mama and nest in a wire dog kennel here at the house with their own food and water? Separated from my existing birds. It’s about 3x2x2 and then put a crate with her nesting material in it? I can keep in our screened in porch by day and maybe inside at night?

Yeah that could work.
I don’t see why not.
Can you place it outside during the day inside some kind of run or fencing so she can show the chicks how to be chickens?
Isn’t there another hen setting eggs too?
Will you be able to set up a spot for her too?
BTW the hens can eat chick starter just not the medicated stuff.
I’m not sure if hens lay eggs when they’re raising chicks but you can provide oyster shell in a separate container free choice for her.
Don’t worry if the chicks sample it.

 

[Fowl Mama]

Okay...off to get an area ready for her here. We are in the process of making a predator proof as possible run now. The hardware cloth won’t het here until Wed but I this there is a triangular moveable run somewhere here. We could to that when the chicks all hatch. How long can she be off her nest? It’s in the 90s and very humid by day in northern MS. Will make sure to provide shade!

 

[CannedMonster]

Okay...off to get an area ready for her here. We are in the process of making a predator proof as possible run now. The hardware cloth won’t het here until Wed but I this there is a triangular moveable run somewhere here. We could to that when the chicks all hatch. How long can she be off her nest? It’s in the 90s and very humid by day in northern MS. Will make sure to provide shade!

Sounds like you have a plan going!
I’m not sure how long she can be off of her nest.
If she has good instincts she should know.
The fact that she accepted the first chick back is a very good indication of her instincts.
If you can place the movable run close to your other birds run that will allow them all to see each other and get used to each other (and the chicks) so that integration will be easier later.
Because these broody hens don’t know your flock yet I would wait to integrate them until they “wean” their chicks.
Probably somewhere between 6-8 weeks old.

 

[aart]

Leave the chicks with mama until all eggs are hatched.
You could block off that nest with small mesh to make sure any chicks don't get out until she is done hatching and you have your separate area ready.

'Normally' in this situation, the chicks would fall out of nest called by mama and she would set up a place on the floor to keep the warm. She will protect them from any flock members.

Predator proofing is probably your biggest risk...but they've survived for how long living where they are?