When to put new moma & eggs in separate home

[pammurphy132]

I just put together a small coop for my broody chicken! She’s been sitting on 7 eggs for 18 days! When should i move her! I only have one silkie & shevis the one sitting. I have 9 larger chickens and a sweet rooster but not sure if she’s big enough to protect the chics so i got her a new little home but don’t know when to move her!

 

[Perris]

I wouldn't move her, at least until after the chicks have hatched (and personally I wouldn't move her then either, unless there was a real attack by another hen in the flock, and that hasn't happened in my experience). You are now at the stage they call 'lockdown' when incubating artificially, and they stop turning the eggs or fiddling with them in any other way. Just stand back and let mama get on with it; she knows what to do.

 

[pammurphy132]

I wouldn't move her, at least until after the chicks have hatched (and personally I wouldn't move her then either, unless there was a real attack by another hen in the flock, and that hasn't happened in my experience). You are now at the stage they call 'lockdown' when incubating artificially, and they stop turning the eggs or fiddling with them in any other way. Just stand back and let mama get on with it; she knows what to do.

Thank you for the advice! She

 

[pammurphy132]

Thank you for the advice! Last year i had a broody chicken and she hatched 2 out of the six under her & she kept them warm and protected them but i had no issues but this silkie is only half the size and she is the only silkie i have left. I will watch them closely