What to do with mom and babies

[Stacylynnlac]

I let my hens raise their babies with the flock
I never move them somewhere else.
The rest of the flock helps the hen with the babies. Roosters and all.

Our coop is small and dark, so I’m afraid of them staying in there, my new coop won’t be here for a few weeks and then I have a few things to do to finish it

 

[Stacylynnlac]

Our coop is small and dark, so I’m afraid of them staying in there, my new coop won’t be here for a few weeks and then I have a few things to do to finish it

But I’d rather not pull them from there because I do not want them in the house

 

[50-45-1]

I put mine in a small cage inside the coop so they can see the others until they are old enough to ru

I let my hens raise their babies with the flock
I never move them somewhere else.
The rest of the flock helps the hen with the babies. Roosters and all.

Does your coop look like the OP's? They have 7 chickens in it now.
That coop looks like it should have 3-4 birds max. That is why they are getting a bigger coop soon.
The new coop will not arrive in time. I dont hold much hope for the chicks.
Maybe i am over cautious with my broodies and chicks, but it works for me.
I allow the hen to be alone with her chicks for about 2 or 3 weeks max. Then at night i put her & chicks back in the coop (apple crate on its side with straw bedding). The next day they are out foraging.
Stacylinlac, Please let us know the outcome of this.
I wish you all the good luck i can.

 

[Stacylynnlac]

Does your coop look like the OP's? They have 7 chickens in it now.
That coop looks like it should have 3-4 birds max. That is why they are getting a bigger coop soon.
The new coop will not arrive in time. I dont hold much hope for the chicks.
Maybe i am over cautious with my broodies and chicks, but it works for me.
I allow the hen to be alone with her chicks for about 2 or 3 weeks max. Then at night i put her & chicks back in the coop (apple crate on its side with straw bedding). The next day they are out foraging.
Stacylinlac, Please let us know the outcome of this.
I wish you all the good luck i can.

The coop is meant to hold 6-8 birds comfortably and I believe it does. I’ve never had a problem with them fighting our having an issue roosting. They also free range/ have a huge run when not free ranging. I have a back up coop that I will probably move her to until the other coop is here. I was just trying to not remove her from her flock. And then have to deal with getting them being re introduced. I feel like she will be super upset if I try to move her somewhere unfamiliar, then move her again.

 

[aart]

But I’d rather not pull them from there because I do not want them in the house

Just leave them there if there's no where else to put them.

 

[Stacylynnlac]

After everyone’s feedback I have decided to bring momma hen inside to our basement with her eggs. They are supposed to hatch in a little over a week, should I wait until right before they hatch to move her and the eggs? I don’t want to stress her out too much.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would wait until most or all are hatched. You risk her abandoning them if she doesn't like the move as most don't. Others have had luck relocating a broody but I have only had success when they are just starting to set. It can all depend on the hen.