What Should I do? Suggestions?

[eggscetera]

I went out to the coop today and there was a baby chick in with the broody hen!
But she's hatching her babies in the nest box (about 3 feet off the floor). Which means the babies have no way to eat or drink unless I take them out and place them on the floor. The other five eggs have not yet hatched. When I reach for the chick she growls at me. I know chicks can go 24 hours without eating or drinking but I don't want the chick to die of starvation or dehydration while waiting for the others to hatch. And- what about the rooster and the other hens in the coop? I know I should have moved her before this became a dilemma but never got to it. Now what?

 

[SilkieChickenLover336]

chicks can go 3 days without food or water

 

[cary 1973]

from what i have read on other post mom hen will protect from other hens and roos. is there anyway you can put a little water and food where she is purching other wise i would not worry unless other eggs dont hatch soon but there are a lot more knowldgle people on here that will give really good advice

 

[highpointfarm]

they can go without food and water for 3 days... at that point the mama will abandon any remaining eggs, and will move them down to floor level... if you can cut a hole in the side of a plastic storage tub, and put that on the ground it works great....

 

[eggscetera]

they can go without food and water for 3 days... at that point the mama will abandon any remaining eggs, and will move them down to floor level... if you can cut a hole in the side of a plastic storage tub, and put that on the ground it works great....

Oh that's an excellent idea. I hadn't realized chicks could go that long w/o drinking.

 

[highpointfarm]

The best part about the rubermaid tub is when the broody is done using it, it works GREAT as a nesting box...