A couple assorted questions about broody hens, age of hens that the eggs some from. . .

[BlossomSilkies]

I have a Buff Orpington who goes broody each spring. We have had a couple of issues that have caused us to be unsuccessful in the eggs getting to hatch. . .First, she tends to keep moving from nest box to nest box. I solved that this year by giving her a secure brooder of her own, with a nest box and food and water, that I am able to close up. She seems happy being in there and is doing well taking care of her eggs. Do any of you isolate your broodys this way? The brooder is in the main coop and the rest of the flock is in and out of there so she can see them. How has it worked for you?

Also, I gave her 8 EE eggs. The pullets these are from are about 10 months old. Any hatchability issues with eggs from young layers?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Good setup. I'd give her a week with the little ones before moving her back to the main flock. The chicks will be faster given a little bit of time so they can keep up with mama.

 

[donrae]

I prefer to keep the broody in with the main flock, but have run into issues where I needed to isolate a broody for various reasons. Your set up looks good and she seems to be setting tight. I like to get the momma and chicks back in with the flock before the chicks are a week old, if everything is going well. That young, momma is still full of hormones and no one messes with her or the babies!

10 months should be a fine age for Pullets to donate eggs for hatching. As long as the eggs are normal size and shape and not horribly porous, you should have a great hatch rate!

 

[BlossomSilkies]

I prefer to keep the broody in with the main flock, but have run into issues where I needed to isolate a broody for various reasons. Your set up looks good and she seems to be setting tight. I like to get the momma and chicks back in with the flock before the chicks are a week old, if everything is going well. That young, momma is still full of hormones and no one messes with her or the babies!

10 months should be a fine age for Pullets to donate eggs for hatching. As long as the eggs are normal size and shape and not horribly porous, you should have a great hatch rate!

First of all, donrae, I grew up in Roseburg, I saw you are from southern Oregon.

Thank you for the reply, I will open up the brooder door at about a week old so that momma and babies can come and go at that point. Hoping for babies in a few weeks!

 

[BlossomSilkies]

Good setup. I'd give her a week with the little ones before moving her back to the main flock. The chicks will be faster given a little bit of time so they can keep up with mama.

Thank you, I think it's a great idea to wait about a week before opening the brooder door to let them out.