broody hen keeps getting pushed off her nest

[chickenmama109]

this is her first time being broody should i just incubate the eggs and give her the chicks if i do and i keep her where she is will she not be broody before the chicks hatch in the bator

 

[Redhead Rae]

this is her first time being broody should i just incubate the eggs and give her the chicks if i do and i keep her where she is will she not be broody before the chicks hatch in the bator

You can do it either way, I prefer letting a dedicated broody hatch eggs rather than hatching them in the incubator. Then you don't have to worry about monitoring the incubator and things like power outages.

 

[chickenmama109]

yes i think i might let the broody hatch them i was just outside watching my hens but the broody could not see me from where i was and i seen one of my rir hens getting mad she wanted to lay an egg where my broody was and im very proud of my broody she stuck up for her self and the other hen went away from her when my broody growled at her

 

[Morrigan]

this is her first time being broody should i just incubate the eggs and give her the chicks if i do and i keep her where she is will she not be broody before the chicks hatch in the bator

I've done it both ways. Watching a hen hatch is a joy and good brooder is worth her weight in gold. But, I've situations where it was easier just to hand out fake eggs, incubate, and dish out chicks later. The incubator a lot of fun (for me), but I do feel sorry for those broodies carefully tending to their golf balls throughout the night.

 

[chickenmama109]

yes im going to let brood the eggs but do you think instead of fencing the coop off for her would it be better to get a big dog kennel and putting a tote in there with a hole and putting that in the coop will that work

 

[Morrigan]

That should work fine. I would get her situated in the new quarters, and see if she accepts the new nest, before giving her fertilized eggs.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks I’ve been watching her to see how many times she gets off the nest and today she’s gotten off like five times and I felt the fake egg and it was not to warm what does this mean are the bigger hens running her off or does she not like being a broody

 

[Redhead Rae]

yes im going to let brood the eggs but do you think instead of fencing the coop off for her would it be better to get a big dog kennel and putting a tote in there with a hole and putting that in the coop will that work

That will work for setting on the eggs. But you'll have to make sure that the holes in the dog kennel aren't big enough for the chicks to get through because if the chicks get out, mama can't protect them from the rest of the flock.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Thanks I’ve been watching her to see how many times she gets off the nest and today she’s gotten off like five times and I felt the fake egg and it was not to warm what does this mean are the bigger hens running her off or does she not like being a broody

I would try isolating her before giving up on the idea that she is broody. The other hens bugging her could keep her from properly settling into a good brood.

 

[Redhead Rae]

And if she doesn't take to isolation and breaks, you have a solution to isolate your next broody.