Once the broody hen has hatched out her full complement of chicks, these chicks will need to be taken away from her to give the hen time to feed and drink and possibly dust bath.
She cannot do this with her new young chicks cheeping continuously in her hearing.
The coop designed to transfer mother and chicks to should already have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected several days previously in anticipation of the hatch.
Clean white wood shavings make an ideal material to use as litter, but only 2.
5-5cm deep(1-2in).
Make or buy a coop 60x60cm square x 45cm at the front, dropping away to 30cm at the back(24 x 24in x 18in high at the front by 12in at the back).
Fix vertical bars or dowelling at the front to restrain the hen for the first few days, setting these 5cm (2in) apart, and making the centre bar removable to give the broody hen access after the first five days' restriction.
Place the hen in the coop as soon as she shows signs of settling down after her feed, reintroducing her to the newly hatched chicks by placing them gently beneath her, darkening the coop for the next hour or so.
Place a small drinking fount in front of the broody coop together with a feeder.
Take the cover off the front of the coop to allow the chicks to drink and feed away from the hen's feet; at the same time, she should be able to reach through the bars to encourage them, and also be able to eat and drink herself.
There must be a small run attached to the coop to protect chicks from others predators.
After the first five days allow the broody hen out with her chicks, giving her and them more space to roam.
How well it is necessary to protect them at this stage will depend on their accessibility to predators, including those on the wing.
Chicks may be kept with the hen for up to six weeks of age; after this it is advisable to separate them, putting them in a small rearing house and run, and returning the hen to the flock.
During these early stages of rearing, and until they are eight weeks of age, chicks must be fed ad lib on a chick starter ration.
Give the hen during her period with them a handful of mixed corn each evening to ensure she settles down for the night with a full crop.
She spends most of the day encouraging them to feed and brooding them, especially during the first few weeks.
She is, therefore, unable to feed herself to her full capacity on dry chick food alone.
A hungry bird becomes restless at night and this can result in chicks being trodden on in the dark.
At eight weeks of age the young growing Chicken should be changed on to a grower's ration, but make this change-over a period of four to five days by mixing the chicks and grower's ration together.
Day-old chicks are born with a high level of immunity to disease, and when reared under a broody hen their immunity level quickly rises, provided the coop is regularly cleaned and broody and chicks moved to fresh grass each day.
This is the main advantage they have over chicks reared under artificial heat.
Young growing birds must not be put with older birds until they are at least 18 weeks of age.
Do not put in less birds than those already housed in the laying pen and provide them with an extra feeder, otherwise the established hens will keep the young birds from feeding properly, causing unnecessary stress.
Where possible, house different ages, however mature, in separated houses and runs.