Brooding Hen

[RennaeHanson]

I have a hen that has gone broody and is laying on about six eggs...I have not separated her from the flock, should I do this before they hatch? If so, what risks are there for her leaving the eggs?

 

[sourland]

As long as the rest of the flock is not interfering with her, I would leave her alone.

 

[RennaeHanson]

As long as the rest of the flock is not interfering with her, I would leave her alone.

They are not disturbing her at all. She's off the ground in a nesting box that is about 2 feet off the floor...do I need to move them down?

 

[wrathsfarm]

You should have a spot in place for when she hatches and brings them down as they won't be able to get back up into the nest box. But if momma is good with the rest of the flock and all goes well, she'll find a spot on floor to take the babies at night.
I haven't had too good of luck yet raising babies with my flock. But normally what I do is after she brings them down, I move the nest box to the floor.

 

[RennaeHanson]

You should have a spot in place for when she hatches and brings them down as they won't be able to get back up into the nest box. But if momma is good with the rest of the flock and all goes well, she'll find a spot on floor to take the babies at night.
I haven't had too good of luck yet raising babies with my flock. But normally what I do is after she brings them down, I move the nest box to the floor.

Will the babies leave the nest box right away?

 

[wrathsfarm]

In my experience, no. Momma won't come off nest for a few days. They'll live off the yolk they absorbed but I always provide a little water and chick feed for them.

 

[RennaeHanson]

Thank you.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thank you.

Your welcome. Good luck with your hatch.

 

[RennaeHanson]

I have babies! so far there's 3 maybe 4, they are hiding under mama so it's hard to say for sure. I'll take pictures in a few days.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I have babies! so far there's 3 maybe 4, they are hiding under mama so it's hard to say for sure. I'll take pictures in a few days.

Awesome...looking forward to seeing pics of the littles.