Broody hen, fertilized eggs, chicks

[Jules25]

Hello. I've had a broody hen for a week now, we have done the wired cage, kicking her out of the coop, closing the pen(they free range in the property) but she is a hard one to break the cycle
I'm wondering if I am able to get some fertilized eggs and put them under her, once they hatch , would I be able to take the chicks away, as I live inside the town limits and I'm only able to have certain number of hens. My mom mentioned the hens can get really sad when having their babies taken away, but she hasn't raised chickens for over 60 years

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hello. I've had a broody hen for a week now, we have done the wired cage, kicking her out of the coop, closing the pen(they free range in the property) but she is a hard one to break the cycle
I'm wondering if I am able to get some fertilized eggs and put them under her, once they hatch , would I be able to take the chicks away, as I live inside the town limits and I'm only able to have certain number of hens. My mom mentioned the hens can get really sad when having their babies taken away, but she hasn't raised chickens for over 60 years

There's no reason you can't. Most hens will throw a fit for a few hours and then just assume a predator got them

 

[aart]

we have done the wired cage

Post a pic of your cage.
Where was the cage located and how long did you leave her in it?
What age and breed is she?

I just had a broody that took 2 sessions of 4-5 days to break.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/broody-breaking-ala-aart.77915/

 

[Yardmom]

At what age do you plan to take the chicks? The mom would likely ween by 6 weeks. If you are planning on pulling them when tiny make sure she is up moving around with them before removal?