Another hen and chicks question

[cscigu]

I've never had great luck with broody hens due to our setup, with hens running loose all day, dogs, etc.

I let a hen keep some eggs, and the first chick hatched yesterday. Naturally the row of 3 hen boxes she is in is sitting atop a shelf about 4 ft high. My plan is to wait about 2 more days, and try to move the boxes to the floor for better safety, and access to water. We've also hit a cool wet spell, so I may put a lamp near them.

Every other time I've moved a broody hen to try and relieve this height worry, she's abandoned the nest. But, that was prior to hatch.

Continue with plan, or erect a barrier to prevent falling chicks in the coming days?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I generally move them out of the boxes and into a pen on the floor two days after the first hatches. I move any unhatched eggs that still look viable. I keep them penned for around 2 weeks before starting to let them out. I wouldn't bother with a heat lamp. The hen is warm enough.

 

[cscigu]

I generally move them out of the boxes and into a pen on the floor two days after the first hatches. I move any unhatched eggs that still look viable. I keep them penned for around 2 weeks before starting to let them out. I wouldn't bother with a heat lamp. The hen is warm enough.

Yeah, if I rigged up some kinda pen enclosure on the floor the hen would probably be less inclined to wander from the next box, just due to lack of other places to go.
Trouble is: effort. I believe in Economy of Effort as a core principle, but I guess its the right thing to do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yeah, if I rigged up some kinda pen enclosure on the floor the hen would probably be less inclined to wander from the next box, just due to lack of other places to go.
Trouble is: effort. I believe in Economy of Effort as a core principle, but I guess its the right thing to do.

If you don't confine them you run the risk of other hens killing the chicks, or chicks wandering off and chilling. I have a circle of hardware wire, 3x10, zip tied into a circle. I put that down, and if necessary I put a top on it. It's fairly simple, portable, and doesn't take much effort. I like to give chicks 2 weeks to grow stronger, and bond with the hen. Sometimes other hens will fight with a broody, so you have to watch for that as well when releasing them. The extra effort will make sure all chicks survive.

 

[cscigu]

I've got a role of 4ft welded wire out there that I think would keep a chick in. It should hold form well enough to rig something like that. Also have some dreaded chicken wire, too that I could double it up. Guess I'm off to try and get a peek to see how many chicks.....

Actually, I just grabbed the chicken wire, wrestled in around a few things, fired in some staples, kicked a couple plastic barrels, and my enclosure is all ready.
Of course, still just one chick up there. Still don't think they should really hatch till about May 2.