Broody hen gets to be a first time mom!

[urbangardengirl]

I have 4 hens, all about two years old; two Buff Orpingtons and two Blacked-Barred Rocks. They are all quite sweet and get along great. One of my Orpingtons goes broody very easily and will not be deterred. Last year was my first year experiencing this and with a lot of constant interaction with her, was able to break it. I don't have it in me this year, and wanted to add a few more to my little flock, so I ordered fertilized eggs from a farm in South Carolina and expect them to arrive on Monday.

I have 2 days (Sunday I will be at church most of the day, leaving not much time to build) to get a brooding coop built and my mama-to-be moved. After much reading and many video viewings, I have decided to move her to her own space, close to and within eyeshot of, the main coop and run. My plan is to get the build done by end of day on Saturday, and move her in Saturday night under the cover of darkness with the unfertilized eggs I am letting her sit on now. This should give her a couple days to settle into her new temporary home. Once I get the fertilized eggs (USPS tracking says before 9pm Monday night) I can make the switch. Will most likely lift her off the nest Tuesday morning and put her by her food and water, then swap out the eggs for her to lay on herself when she goes back to her nest. This should prevent breakage.

I have never done this before, nor has she.... so it is exciting. Not quite sure how it will all play out, but looking forward to the process!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How exciting. Be sure to update if she becomes a mom.

 

[N F C]

Best of luck, hope your broody girl does well for you!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Finally! Pippin has someone to sit with!
Its also her first time on fertile eggs! Good luck!

pippin is on some polish eggs

 

[urbangardengirl]

I have 4 hens, all about two years old; two Buff Orpingtons and two Blacked-Barred Rocks. They are all quite sweet and get along great. One of my Orpingtons goes broody very easily and will not be deterred. Last year was my first year experiencing this and with a lot of constant interaction with her, was able to break it. I don't have it in me this year, and wanted to add a few more to my little flock, so I ordered fertilized eggs from a farm in South Carolina and expect them to arrive on Monday.

I have 2 days (Sunday I will be at church most of the day, leaving not much time to build) to get a brooding coop built and my mama-to-be moved. After much reading and many video viewings, I have decided to move her to her own space, close to and within eyeshot of, the main coop and run. My plan is to get the build done by end of day on Saturday, and move her in Saturday night under the cover of darkness with the unfertilized eggs I am letting her sit on now. This should give her a couple days to settle into her new temporary home. Once I get the fertilized eggs (USPS tracking says before 9pm Monday night) I can make the switch. Will most likely lift her off the nest Tuesday morning and put her by her food and water, then swap out the eggs for her to lay on herself when she goes back to her nest. This should prevent breakage.

I have never done this before, nor has she.... so it is exciting. Not quite sure how it will all play out, but looking forward to the process!

The move was successful! Broody Judy was moved to her new coop last night. I added 5 more unfertilized eggs, as she was only sitting on one for the last week. She is still on them! Today, I will pull her out to poop, eat and drink, and make the switch with the fertilized eggs. So exciting!

 

[urbangardengirl]

I have 4 hens, all about two years old; two Buff Orpingtons and two Blacked-Barred Rocks. They are all quite sweet and get along great. One of my Orpingtons goes broody very easily and will not be deterred. Last year was my first year experiencing this and with a lot of constant interaction with her, was able to break it. I don't have it in me this year, and wanted to add a few more to my little flock, so I ordered fertilized eggs from a farm in South Carolina and expect them to arrive on Monday.

I have 2 days (Sunday I will be at church most of the day, leaving not much time to build) to get a brooding coop built and my mama-to-be moved. After much reading and many video viewings, I have decided to move her to her own space, close to and within eyeshot of, the main coop and run. My plan is to get the build done by end of day on Saturday, and move her in Saturday night under the cover of darkness with the unfertilized eggs I am letting her sit on now. This should give her a couple days to settle into her new temporary home. Once I get the fertilized eggs (USPS tracking says before 9pm Monday night) I can make the switch. Will most likely lift her off the nest Tuesday morning and put her by her food and water, then swap out the eggs for her to lay on herself when she goes back to her nest. This should prevent breakage.

I have never done this before, nor has she.... so it is exciting. Not quite sure how it will all play out, but looking forward to the process!

The move was successful! Broody Judy was moved to her new coop last night. I added 5 more unfertilized eggs, as she was only sitting on one for the last week. She is still on them! Today, I will put her out to poop and eat and drink, and make the switch with the fertilized eggs. So exciting!

 

[urbangardengirl]

The move was successful! Broody Judy was moved to her new coop last night. I added 5 more unfertilized eggs, as she was only sitting on one for the last week. She is still on them! Today, I will put her out to poop and eat and drink, and make the switch with the fertilized eggs. So exciting!

Chicks are here! Today is Day #21, and have 2 chicks, possibly 3 so far. I am not moving her to find out what is going on under there, but time will tell. This is a pic of the first one who has now found the water. The 2nd I have seen before it scurries under mama. Very eggciting!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are so adorable. Congratulations.

 

[Sally PB]

Way to go, you and Broody Judy both!

 

[yakitori]

congratulations <3 they are super adorable