Baby Chicks are Sooooo much fun! And watching a momma with her chicks is very educational....you realize all the things a "human mom" cant teach them. The first time I had a broody sit on eggs, in the hen house with the other hens..it was chaotic! I would find eggs out of the nest frequently, like 4 feet from the nest. I would put them back. At the time of hatch...one completely disappeared (shell, chick-everything) one hatched but died, and one lived...it was a roo of course! I had incubated in the past and let a "broody" adopt the babies, with almost 100% success! I had heard wonderful stories of the flocks being so good to sitting hens, and their babies.... But I will NEVER do it again. A broody that has eggs will have her own space, water & feed, and ability to go out doors. When the babys hatch this will be their "growing space" until big enough to be integrated to the flock. Since you know your gal is a "meanie" I would most certainly give your broody - her own space. Calmer for you, her and the "overall" chicken flock.
