Bravely letting BO hen hatch two eggs...

[aliprowl]

My flock is just over a year old, and a BO and a bantam buff brahma have gone broody. Bantam sitting on nothing, generally, BO sitting on eggs (hers? who knows). Rooster is a black Australorp. I have been pulling the eggs out for the past week of this broodiness, and hauling both chickens off the nests but now have decided to go with the flow and let the BO hatch a couple of eggs. These will be "mutts"; anyone have any comments about a BO/Australorp cross? She is in a lower nest box, maybe 6" off floor of coop. Should I move her to a dog crate that I leave in the corner of the coop, or let her stay in the nest box? She is "moveable" at this point, without shedding (my) blood. It seems that the little bantam is keeping her company in the adjoining nest box. I worry that neither is eating/drinking/pooping enough, but hate to interfere and drag them off their nests...surely they know their own needs?! Both hens have pulled their feathers out of their tummy areas, which I understand is fairly normal. The rest of the flock free ranges during the day and has left the two broodies totally alone so far, but should I move them? Many thanks for any advice/comments.

 

[jeremy]

I would separate her from the rest of the flock once you're absolutely sure she's gone broody. It'll be an easier process for her and you won't have to worry about the other birds harassing her or her new babies. A dog crate with bedding will suffice. Don't forget to make her leave the nest at least once every couple days to feed and drink, she has to do this.

As far as the cross goes, I have both Australorps and Buffs and I love 'em both! You'll probably get some very friendly chicks who will be highly productive in the egg department.

 

[aliprowl]

Do I just lock her up in the dog crate, which seems quite odd, or what? Put dog crate in corner of coop and leave the door open? Not much more private than a nest box, but definitely different! I don't have a separate "room" in my coop or its run. I guess the crate is more enclosed than the nest box? Right now, nobody bothers her because they are all out, dawn to dusk. They come in, hop on the roost and go to sleep. Happy to put her in a crate if that is SOP, however. Solid wall crate or wire (visible to the others or more enclosed)? Thanks.

 

[jeremy]

I would put her in the crate in a completely different area from your other birds. Lock her in, only take her out to feed and water, otherwise she might jump of the nest and abandon the eggs halfway through incubation. After the babies have hatched slowly introduce her back to the rest of the flock.