Small nesting box for Broody Hen

[Unswydd]

My nesting boxes are old milk crates. I have a Broody Hen sitting on 8 eggs and I'm afraid that it's going to be too small for the hatching process. I do have another coop smaller but would be better but I'm afraid to move her and the eggs. It all snuck up on me as life happens. It's day 21 now and I'm kinda in a anxious panic.
Should I move her or wait and see.
Edit to add:
I do have a wire gate I can set up to separate her off from the flock .

 

[Mrs. K]

Just leave her be! She knows more about being a chicken than you or I will ever know. Just leave her completely alone, do not disturb her, or check on her or try and peak, do not try to help.

People with the best intentions, want to be part of this, and help it go smoothly thinking they can save every chick. But what often happens is they upset the mamma bird, and she can get so distracted that she abandons the chicks and nest.

You really do not even need to fence her off. She has been stomping around the other layers, and they will give her and her chicks room.

Now, some chicks might not make it, but if that is the case, they won't make it with your help either. A 50% hatch is considered average with sometimes being above that, and sometimes being below that.

ps- I reread your post and you said it is day 21, do you hear any peeping? Cause mine usually hatch about day 20.5. Might be the eggs are duds. If so, pick up some day old chicks and slip under her in the dark.

Mrs K

 

[LaFleche]

Well, that's so sweet, the cooing part!
Yes, the suspense is high. I'm anxious for her. She's gone broody before I had a Roo and now is her time. I believe she will be a good mama.

It is! They have an incredible range of vocal expressions and so many nuances that one will only experience when they have chicks.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My nesting boxes are old milk crates. I have a Broody Hen sitting on 8 eggs and I'm afraid that it's going to be too small for the hatching process.

Milk crates can come in different sizes but yours should be at least 12" x 12". I've had full-sized fowl hens hatch in less space. That is not too small.

Should I move her or wait and see.

I agree, I'd wait and see. Bad things can happen if you try to move her. Bad things can happen if you leave her where she is. You don't get guarantees with either. I find the less I interfere the less harm I do, especially this late in the hatching process.

My eggs typically hatch one or even two full days early, whether in a calibrated incubator or under a broody. Some people's eggs regularly hatch a day or two late. The 21 day to me is just a target, not something etched in stone. It can be stressful when they are late but don't do anything silly if they happen to be late.

 

[Mrs. K]

That will be fine. Are you pretty sure on the date? By tomorrow, take her off the nest and check the eggs. If it sloshes - they are no good. At this stage - there should be piping, or even a faint cheeping. Sometimes you just don't have any that make it. Dispose of the eggs and put fakes in there. She will return to the nest.

If so, go get a couple of chicks from the feed store, bring them home give them a drink of water. In the early evening, when everything is roosted up, take them down and let them get a little chilled so they start peeping madly. If they are a little cold, under the hen is going to be a wonderful warm place. They will burrow into her tight. And that is what you need, that flips the switch, from being broody trance to broody hen, caring for chicks.

Wait it out for 5 minutes. Then wearing a thick sweat shirt and gloves, without any light, or bare minimum light just stick those chicks under her. She may growl and she might even peck at one trying to crawl out. That is ok. Try to disturb her the least amount. Step out side and wait. It should get silent. if so do the hard part and leave!

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

That is best, no need rushing this. The least you bother them is the best.

 

[LaFleche]

She's calm and cooing.

Cooing means that she is talking to the chicks in the eggs encouraging them.

Although the suspense might seem unbearable, just let her do her thing and wait.

 

[Unswydd]

Cooing means that she is talking to the chicks in the eggs encouraging them.

Although the suspense might seem unbearable, just let her do her thing and wait.

Well, that's so sweet, the cooing part!
Yes, the suspense is high. I'm anxious for her. She's gone broody before I had a Roo and now is her time. I believe she will be a good mama.

 

[Mrs. K]

Nothing, NOTHING is more fun than a hen with chick! waiting for an update! Did you get any?

 

[klb25]

My nesting boxes are old milk crates. I have a Broody Hen sitting on 8 eggs and I'm afraid that it's going to be too small for the hatching process. I do have another coop smaller but would be better but I'm afraid to move her and the eggs. It all snuck up on me as life happens. It's day 21 now and I'm kinda in a anxious panic.
Should I move her or wait and see.
Edit to add:
I do have a wire gate I can set up to separate her off from the flock .

The size is fine.

I have two hens whose eggs always hatch on day 25!