Will chicks be ok with a ramp?

[Buckingham Palace]

hi. I’m hatching Two silkie eggs and they are due on Tuesday. They are under a broody hen and the only problem is that she is brooding a nesting box raised off the ground I’m going to move them when they hatch but I’m worried that kathy will try and take them out when I’m not there and they fall. So I was wondering would the be ok with a ramp? it is day 17 and they go in to lock down tomrow im going to have ti sit on my hands. Would it be ok to close her in to the nesting box while the hatch. Thank you.

 

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As long as the ramp isnt to steep and has some grip for the chicks to get up they should be alright. Imo I would lock her in the nesting box till they hatch and as long as she has food and water she will be alright like that for a day or 2. It would be best to move her closer to the ground but I wouldnt recommend doing that if you are at lockdown as it may disturb her and the eggs. Just wait a couple of day after they hatch and then see if you can move herblower to the ground if possible. But if not you can use a ramp just make sure that its has enough grip and isnt to steep. How high is the nesting box off the ground?

 

[Buckingham Palace]

Shall I send a pictrue?

 

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Shall I send a pictrue?

Yes please

 

[Buckingham Palace]

This the area I made her in the coop as she did not want to move.

 

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View attachment 3020154
This the area I made her in the coop as she did not want to move.

You could probably do a ramp but it most likely would have to be covered or netted over the top and sides otherwise your gonna need some pillows or soft thick material under it so if they fall it would soften impact. The first choice is better but 2nd as a back up

 

[Buckingham Palace]

i dont want any hurt babies so as long as she’s ok with being shut in while they hatch then I’ll go for that. im Getting anxious as they are hatching soon an one of them is smaller then the other I forced my self to stop candleing and wait. I hope they hatch at the sAme time but if they don’t would there be any way to help the other one? Thank you.

 

[_ADM_]

i dont want any hurt babies so as long as she’s ok with being shut in while they hatch then I’ll go for that. im Getting anxious as they are hatching soon an one of them is smaller then the other I forced my self to stop candleing and wait. I hope they hatch at the sAme time but if they don’t would there be any way to help the other one? Thank you.

Whatever you do do not help the other chick if its taking a bit longer to hatch. After the first internal pip it can take up to 24 hours for them to externally pip and that can also take up to another 24 hours. You can check under then hen really quickly to check but dont pick up or turn the eggs otherwise you may risk turning the chick in the egg and this may kill it. I would advise not to even touch the hen. Only and this is a last resort, only help the baby chick if it has externally pipped and has not made any progress in 48 hours only then carefully make a safty hole in the air sack end of the egg. Wait a bit longer (6-14 hours) if it still has not made anymore progress slowly and carefully help pull the egg shell off, only small bits at a time though.

 

[Buckingham Palace]

yeah thank you. I was told that the mom would sit on the nest until the next day before getting off to feed the chick but if the other egg has not hatched by then she would just leave it. that is what I meant in the other post I think I did not explain it proearly. Just wondering when should i shut her in day 20? I’m going to put a veal at the back to as I open it every day to check for eggs. Thank you for the help I really appreciate it.

 

[Buckingham Palace]

on Day 21 should i check to see if they are hatching for just leave them be. Sorry about all the questions.