I have a year old buff Orpington who I believe is broody. She sits in the corner puffed out and her wings half spread. When I reach down, she pecks my hand. Sooo, I figured what the heck and put a clutch of (hopefully) fertilized eggs under her. She tucks them under her gently with her head so I'm 100% sure she's broody. Now. I put dates on the eggs. Half from yesterday and half from today. She may have even layed some of her own under there. Here's what I did. I took a cardboard box, cut open one side of it, and filled it with stall chips. I put it in the corner she likes to sit in, then carefully moved her and the eggs in the box. She has food and water available to her, in a place so she just needs to reach her head over and eat. I have in with her- 1 year old rooster, and 2 other hens. Now, for the questions.
1. What do I do if she's not eating or drinking? Is it ok to pull her off the nest so she will?
2. How will I know if the chicks are growing in their eggs, or if the egg is just unfertilized and rotting?
3. Will the other chickens kill the chicks when and if they hatch? Should I isolate her to prevent that from happening?
4. Will SHE kill the chicks when they hatch, or will mother instincts take over?
5. Should I separate the chicks from her at any point? Or when?
1. What do I do if she's not eating or drinking? Is it ok to pull her off the nest so she will?
2. How will I know if the chicks are growing in their eggs, or if the egg is just unfertilized and rotting?
3. Will the other chickens kill the chicks when and if they hatch? Should I isolate her to prevent that from happening?
4. Will SHE kill the chicks when they hatch, or will mother instincts take over?
5. Should I separate the chicks from her at any point? Or when?