Broody Bantam

[CountryDan]

My first post on BYC. I’ve referred to BYC back when I built my chicken coop. Anyway my bantam chicken has gone broody for the 2nd time now. My coop has 3 hen boxes. So the first time she started laying my 3 other hens would come in and lay there eggs right in her spot. I’d look into the hen box and find the larger birds laying right beside or on her. We would harvest the large eggs and leave the bantam eggs alone. When I checked on the nest we found the bantam eggs broken. This last time she disappeared on us and thought a predator must of got her. I discovered she had nested under a tomato pant in the garden and sitting on 11 eggs on top of the dirt. Some of the eggs were pushed aside. I tested those eggs, 2 were rotten and 1 had a start of an embryo. My dilemma is do I leave her alone or move her? We are expecting frost here the next couple of nights. If I do move her do I need to set up a nesting box so that my 2 BO’s and 1 RIR leave her alone?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just leave her. A little frost won't hurt

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I agree with @JacinLarkwell
Anytime I’ve tried to move a broody, she’s left the nest for far too long which is bad for the eggs - especially since it’s that cold.
Someone may have some advice on a way to move her without upsetting her, but if not, I think leaving her would be best.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

And welcome to BYC!