Broody hen issues

[Kevin92]

So I currently have a broody hen. First time actually dealing with one. Of course she is being as mean as possible to ward off any predators, however the pit bull steals the hens eggs. Our chickens are all free range and go about anywhere they please. I am kinda worried about her safety staying outside of the coop. Can I move the eggs when she leaves the nest or should I leave her be to do her own thing? I have no idea how long she has been missing I know at least a week but I had assumed that something ate her. Anything helps

 

[Josh Mack]

I would recommend putting her and the eggs into a garden shed or something like that mabey fence off a corner of one if you don't have a garden shed do the same in your coop and if you can't do that try it in a quite part of your house

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Move her and the eggs (at night) to a safe place e.g. garden shed, chicken coop.

Don’t leave her out vulnerable for too long!

 

[Kevin92]

Ok. I have a brooder pen big enough for her and the eggs. The down fall is I have 10 1 month old chicks in it right now. I might just have to spend a little bit of time putting something new together.

I’m assuming that it’s fine that I touch the eggs?

Also any idea why the dog would be taking the eggs? She isn’t eating them she just takes them down and hides them by the porch. Which I actually watched her do.

 

[Josh Mack]

I'm not sure about the dog taking the eggs but it would be ok to put a dog crate or something like that in the coop for the chicks and put the mother in the broody pen

 

[Kevin92]

She and all 12 eggs have been moved. She is not happy by any means.

 

[Josh Mack]

That should be ok as long as she is still down on the eggs

 

[Kevin92]

So turns out the eggs were a little further a long than I had thought. We have one that hatched today and two more peeping out. When should I move the chicks to a brooder?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Why would you move the chicks to a brooder if they have a mother hen to care for them and keep them warm ?

Are you moving both hen and chicks to a “brooder” ?
If so, don’t move them til all have hatched.

 

[Kevin92]

All of my chickens are free range chickens so I’m afraid they might fall in our creek and drown or even get stepped on by a goat or cow