? about moving hen sitting on eggs

[MommyM.Lynn]

Okay first let me say I'm very new at having chickens. We noticed that a hen was leaving the run and then returning later. We finally found where she was going, to the barn, where she had laid 16 eggs. It has been about a week since we discovered her in the barn. I thought the barn was pretty safe and decided to leave her there with food and water. Well, I was in the chicken yard this morning and she came from the barn to eat with the other hens. So I went to check on her eggs and there were only 10 whole eggs and 1 partial egg in her nest. My question is... can I move her and her eggs into a seperate coop with my broody silkie who is also sitting on eggs? Any advice would be appreciated because, like I said my family is new to chickens. Thanks!!

 

[Judy]

There's not an easy answer to this. They tend to abandon the nest when moved -- but this does not always happen. I guess the ideal thing at this point would be to put a big dog crate or the like where she is, and move her, nest and all, into it. If you try moving her, I would do it at night and I would include the nesting material she is using, as well as I could. I don't know how much better off she will be, sharing brooding quarters with another broodie. I've never tried this. The only time I tried moving a broody, she did abandon the eggs and returned to where her nest had been, and I wound up putting them back where she had been setting.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MommyM.Lynn]

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I have a pen thing (something kids or puppies play in in the yard) that I could build around her. Then maybe put some netting over it so nothing could get in. I'll try it and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!