Broody Hen and eggs **UPDATE**

[MHG]

A month ago someone gave me a young rooster. I really didn't think much about it because the two chickens I have have never showed signs of being broody. However, I lost one of my chickens about 10 days ago...couldn't find her anywhere! Finely I spotted her sitting under an old board that was leaning up against the barn...and she was sitting on 8 eggs!

I am guessing that the presents of the rooster made her go broody?? Thoughts? I am not sure if the hen and the rooster "got together" but in the off chance they did...and in the next 10-15 days I have some chicks...do I leave her where she is....move her to a different spot (along with eggs)...or what? Once they hatch out...should i let nature take its course or do I place them in a protected area?

Will someone with experience please give me some direction?

Thanks!

 

[galanie]

They can go broody just fine with no roosters around, and some even try to hatch things like golf balls. Chances of these eggs being fertile are very high, I'd say

Make sure she's safe from predators and weather is #1. There has been some discussion about moving them and I've had good luck with moving hen, nest, and all in one go but others have had their broody be uninterested in brooding after being moved, so it's up to you. You can make a sort of enclosure around the spot and leave her be. This might be best.

And yes, make sure they are protected. If she's a good mom, she'll pretty much keep them under cover or in protected areas but make sure they are totally protected at least at night.

 

[Kajunbanty]

My main worry would be predators getting her at night while she is setting on her eggs. I'm almost certain that her and the rooster got together if hes a grown rooster. I would move her to a cage where she and the new chicks once they hatch would be safe. Just make sure you move her at night in the dark with as little light being used as possible. You can use something as simple as a cardboard box with some hay or dry grass as nesting material. Place her eggs in then her on the eggs and just leave her alone, she should just go ahead and hatch the chicks. Once she has hatched the eggs you can either remove her after a week and raise the chicks like any others you would buy or leave her till they are big enough to turn lose. Hope this answers your questions.

 

[MHG]

Thanks for the responces!

 

[MHG]

Ok...I tried to move my hen and her eggs to another location...but it didn't work.

Anyone got other ideas?? She is nesting in an unsafe location...and I would like to get her protected, but all my efforts at moving her to a save location has failed. I guess I'll have to let nature run its course.

She has been sitting on 10 eggs for 18-20 days...I am hoping for a few baby chick this week!!

 

[emys]

Did you try moving her at night after dark? That is usually the best time.

HOWEVER, if it IS day 18 to 20 - you DO NOT want to let those eggs get chilled. Guess you'll just need round the clock nest protection until they are all hatched. Then move them. Once the first one starts peeping that is when you'll draw your predators.

 

[MHG]

Yes...moved them at midnight. First I set up a secure location...complete with nesting boxes and plenty of space for the new family. Then at midnight...I picked up the hen...my wife (using gloves) got the eggs and put them in the "new" nest. I then placed the mother hen on the nest...she squawked and made quite a racket for 15 min...as soon as I left she high tailed it to her other nest. So I went and get her again...placed her back on her eggs...again...she took back off.

I then just moved the eggs back under her...and let her be. I have a large dog cage that I filled with shaving and covered with a tarp...I am thinking about putting her in there with her eggs and locking the door...but I am afraid to do that because I don't want her to be so busy trying to get back to her old nest that she steps on or breaks her eggs. Thoughts?

 

[emys]

Move her in the dark - no lights. Leave her in the pitch black on her eggs. Chickens won't move in the dark when they can't see, so if you were going to make another attempt, I would move her to a dog crate close the door and put her someplace very dark like in the coop with a cover over the crate like a blanket or tarp. She will have no choice but to settle and wait for light. By the time it is light hours later, she is usually too busy being broody again... next morning, give food and water in crate quickly, just lifting the blanket enough to do so. Leave blanket mostly covering the door with just a little peeking room at the bottom. She will still feel like she is hiding.

I think at this stage, trying to build an enclosure around her might be best.

 

[cmitchell]

emys,
That is what I was thinking. I would build some sort of secure enclosure/box/fence and put it over/around her where she is determined to nest.

 

[dancinquilt]

I had a hen go broody in the nest box, Sunday was day 21 and I am sure that there are babies. Jane has fluffed out her feathers until she is bigger and fluffier than normal, and is very vocal if anyone gets close to her. Now I am not sure if I should shoo all the other hens and rooster out of the
hen house or not. I posted, but have not gotten any help yet. Hope all goes well for you. Sherry