When do you plan on moving them? If you want to move mama and nearly hatched eggs, move her a few days before hatch (maybe 2-3 days). Have the new, secure quarters all ready to go, with food water and a nice quiet, private nest. Then move hen & eggs at night, and keep any lighting low. Do it quickly and quietly, and then leave her alone so she can go back to sleep. Chances are she won't abandon eggs that are peeping, rocking and generally getting ready to hatch. Sometimes other hens will get broody or jealous of another hen's nest, and drive her off the eggs. Then that new hen may take over setting and hatching, or lose interest and wander off after a few days, you never know. If you wait until the chicks are hatched, just do it like seramas says, but I'd still do it at night so they wake up in the new pen. I'd have a brooder box all ready to go with food, water and a heat source just in case she turns on the chicks--but chances are that she won't. With first-time moms you never know if they will go through with the hatch. Generally if they sit all the way through and hatch the eggs, they are good moms and don't abandon the chicks. There may be accidents where chicks get stepped on, especially with large breed hens who are much heavier. Banties usually make great moms and are very protective and savvy. Momma and babies should be kept in a separate pen for the first few weeks, mama can't be everywhere, and while she is chasing one bully away, another may swoop in and hurt the babies. I've got a chicken info site here that may help: http://jackshenhouse.com/VSChickHensBroodiesChicks.htm Enjoy the chicks! :) Velvet ~:>

Hi again Everyone..... I haven't been able to post to thank the rest of you for your responses due to work and...guess what? We are still digging out from a huge snowstorm which started last night and is still going on late tonight, although less heavily. (Plus another snowstorm for Friday!). We got an extra foot of snow out of it so far. It takes forever for DH to snowblow us out (our driveway is very long) and we have tons of steps up to the house, which is fun since tonight I went grocery shopping and had to lug in tons of bags! Don't you just love it? cindi...you are very ambitious, doing all that shoveling yourself! Yikes. In years gone by, when my kids were little and I was a divorced mom I used to shovel out my driveway and steps all by myself because I couldn't afford to have someone plow it. I am quite fortunate to have my DH now who not only takes care of all the snow removal, but is my right-hand man out in the garden all summer. Carol....sorry about your toe! I know what you mean about being cooped up inside....in the summer I take a 4-mile walk everyday, but the road has been too snowy and icy all winter for much exercise....I feel so lazy and sluggish now. I really think we should all hibernate all winter like the bears and such. Karyn...That is so cool that you live in Sanbornton!! I work in Tilton as a nanny. I live in Belmont, but am on the Gilford side (Durrell Mountain & Belknap Mtn. just down the road). Can you believe how HUGE the snowbanks are around here? I can't even imagine how much flooding we will have in the spring, not to mention the worst MUD-SEASON ever. Looking out there, its hard to imagine we will ever see the end of winter. That is wonderful to hear that the sap will be running in a few weeks....it gives me hope! Pure New Hampshire maple syrup is the best! Lesley...Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the thread....we are all waiting patiently for spring and keeping each other hopeful! Ruth....Thank you for the tip on the Botanic Garden in Ontario. I had not heard of it but am now putting it on my list of gardens to see. I have not been to Ontario (my son has and loved it) but I have always wanted to. We enjoy visiting Canada every year....have been to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec City and Montreal many times. (DH and I honeymooned in Nova Scotia, as did my son and his wife). Ronda....I am a rose-book fanatic....I keep collecting more and more rose books, mostly just for the photos. Believe it or not, I have about 20 or so more than the picture shows! Thanks for the link to those gorgeous, amazing garden photos. What a treat! Silverkelt....Great photos, and I'll bet you had fun out there last night and today (and tomarrow, and Friday, etc.) snow-blowing. My husband owns a hardware store and they had a lot full of snowblowers at the beginning of the season (like 60 blowers) and now they are all gone, with people begging to get their hands on one. DH repairs snowblowers, ice augers, chainsaws, woodsplitters, etc. and had to hire extra help this year, when usually he is a one-man operation. I believe we will reach that snowfall record quite easily! And I know what you mean about driving in the winter....that aspect of winter is what I hate most of all. And it always seems to wait to snow to coincide with the morning & evening commute. Peggy....What would we do without flourescent lighting? It is such a delight to have something growing inside when all is frozen outside. I have always been fascinated by orchids, but have never tried growing them. Better I don't get into another addiction....lol.

'U' are preaching to the choir here...

That is a good story Moni. I enjoyed it. Leslie