chicks hatching soon...

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hi - i have (my first!) broody who is due to hatch her own chicks v soon. she is currently in a seperate shed within the chicken run which has access to a small outside space. Should I block off the outside space or leave access to it? Her nest is in a low sided (about 2 inches ) crate. will this be ok for her and the chicks until they are ready to join the others? (will the chicks be ok getting out of the nest?
Also - am off to buy chick crumbs - do i just let the broody feed on these as well - presumably if i put mixed corn or layers pellets in the chicks may try to eat it?
Many thanks!!
 
hi, welcome to the forum! :-)99 :-)99 :-)99 :-)99 :-)99
yeah, they would try to eat her food cos she would eat it they would copy her.
Would leave access to outside, good for hen and chicks to get some grass and fresh air.
 
thanks - will do. how long should i keep her and chicks seperate from others. also am a bit worried as there is a step down to the outside space - only about 2 inches high, but she is a bantam so chicks will be teeny - do you think they'll cope?
 
If you're worried about steps up or down, just put a bit of wood there so it's two steps instead of one.

The hen and chicks are best lkept away from the rest for 8-10 weeks min or they could be attacked by the older ones. The broody will eat the chick crumbs as in theory, the corn is too big for the chicks but I've never found it a problem (I don't keep bantams though). From about a fortnight old you can throw a bit of corn in for the broody & the chicks will eat it too.

You can let them out in the pen after a few days as long as there's no long grass for them to get wet and the run is best covered. You'll just have to keep an eye to make sure they can get in and out of the nest.
 
hi - many thanks for the advice!
two have poked heads out from under mum so far. Plan to leave her alone till tomorrow for any more to hatch and then check under her....
advice please - there is an egg under which appeared mysteriously ( i guess one of the other hens laid it on her nest when she was out eating a couple of weeks ago) so presumably it has now been incubating - if i continue to incubate it am i likely to be able to introduce it to the brood (would quite like to keep it as it's a 'proper' hen! ? thanks
 
The odd egg will probably cuase too much of a problem to fit in with the others especially as you don't know when it's due to hatch.
 
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