Is this what "broody" looks like?

Our young silkie hen will not get off the nest either, and winter is coming to Minnesota. She acts funny if we try and lift her up and has many eggs that are hers and other hens under her. Not sure if we should let her have the eggs as we have roos and many other hens in this coop…how will she be able to keep chicks safe from all of them all winter? Help?

You have two options: you can 'break' her. This consists of putting her in an elevated wirebottomed cage, this allows air to flow under her and lower her body temp (which is what causes broodiness)
Or you can allow her to hatch the eggs. If she has more than 5 or 6 under her, I personally, would bring the numbers down. Having more than 5 or 6 possible chicks gives all of them the best shot for her to keep them under her and warm. It is also hard for a broody to keep track of more than a few chicks (imagine 6 children vs 2 or 3!!!). It is also a good idea to mark the eggs so that you know which ones she started with.


Good luck!
 

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