Broody hen on eggs, should I move nest? First timer!

[herdingcats]

Hi all,
Sorry to post this because I'm sure there's already a similar thread somewhere, but I can't find it!

My 6 month old Black Orpington hen, "Henny Penny," has gone broody on 11 eggs (mixed, not all hers). We have a rooster so I assume they are fertilized. I have a friend who will take the chicks once they are older regardless of number and quantity, so we are doing this kind of as an experiment since nature took over!

She has been on the eggs for about 5 days now, and most of the time takes short breaks, but I did decide to lift her out for a break the other day. She took a short break and then it was back to the nest box. So far none of the flock seem to be disturbing her, and she seems content. However, our nest boxes are a set of 3 covered plastic milk crates. They are wired on top of a small dog kennel which acts as an occasional nest box for our picky Blue Polish. Henny Penny is in the middle of the 3 boxes.

Because she is up off the ground about 2', is this a concern once the chicks hatch? Should I relocate her, and if so is the dog kennel nesting box below, a good site (it is on the floor of the coop) or should I relocate her someplace where she is away from the flock? Or, should I just leave her alone?

Any insight appreciated. My kids are very excited to watch this whole process and I don't want to sabotage it in a traumatic way (I'm envisioning little chicks falling to their death if I leave the nest where it is)...

Thanks!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

We've had to relocate nests before for chick/duckling safety, and it depends on the hen for me personally. Some will reject the change and stop sitting after the move. Some will follow your every move angrily then settle down on the new spot. This is just my experience- I hope some others who really know about set hens can offer advice.

 

[herdingcats]

Thanks Homesteader. She is very docile so far; I actually have been visiting her regularly and she lets me stroke her head and handle her. I did have to pry her out of the box, she had quite the hold on the edge, but she is completely calm and friendly otherwise. If that makes any difference to how she would handle a move?

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Our main broody was very rude to any other birds, and would fuss at me for approaching, but I could handle her with ease. It made the move easier for me by being able to briefly pick her up and put her on the ground for a minute. She watched everything I did but wasn't trying to come after me. When she saw the eggs going to their new spot, I stepped back and let her hop in by herself. I don't recommend complete confinement (like an air crate) as it seemed to make some of ours more prone to eating the eggs or hatched young.

 

[herdingcats]

Thanks. That brings up another question I have: do others in the flock tend to be ok around chicks, I mean I imagine this has been going on for centuries, barnyards with flocks and new chicks...but I just don't know if I should be preparing for some level of aggression toward the hatchlings from the rest of the flock. Does putting them closer to the ground make them more...food like? Or does that usually not make a difference? Can you tell I'm new and paranoid?

 

[50-45-1]

I would definately move her. If you want her to see this thru for 2 more weeks, you could move the crate and all to the dog kennel where she will have total privacy and less likely to get fresh eggs laid in her nest and bothered by other hens who may also prefer the center nest.
Mover her at night. Set up the crate so she has fresh water and food.
In day 19 put chick starter in a low sided bowl, i use a jar lid. And some quick chick in a chick waterera s soon as she gets chicks.
good luck, and keep us updated with your outcome.
Its so exciting!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

I understand the concern! I hope for sure now someone chimes in. Again, just personal choice, but I had the ability to fence momma and babies off because our rooster was a meany and he tried to go after them. It kept her calm too- she wasn't as on edge every time another bird came near. She just wanted to have a place to take a dirt bath in the pen! I shut them up at night when she was still on the nest to keep predators out.

P.S. Definitely want to see pics when this is all said and done

 

[juliejohnson805]

We have had a broody sitting and found 2 chicks this afternoon. They’re early by my count. There are 4 more eggs still in nest. I’m debating on whether I need to move them (mom, eggs and babies) to a safer spot. Her nest is off the ground so I know chicks will have to be moved after couple days.
I have an enclosed area within the run so they will be separate but still a part of the flock.

 

[50-45-1]

My experiance with broody hatches is the broody hen will protect her babies from all the other birds and this makes for a much easier intrigation to the older birds.
If your hen is to submisive she may not do the above. Watch how she reacts to the others on the first couple days.
I had one little banty once who hatched 6 regular size chicks and i was worried, as she was at the bottom of the pecking order. Well i'l tell you what, once she had those babies she would tear a new one into anyone who came to close! Even the rooster! I was so relieved that no one in the coop was going to mess with her.

 

[MyChickenShack]

I would definately move her. If you want her to see this thru for 2 more weeks, you could move the crate and all to the dog kennel where she will have total privacy and less likely to get fresh eggs laid in her nest and bothered by other hens who may also prefer the center nest.
Mover her at night. Set up the crate so she has fresh water and food.
In day 19 put chick starter in a low sided bowl, i use a jar lid. And some quick chick in a chick waterera s soon as she gets chicks.
good luck, and keep us updated with your outcome.
Its so exciting!

Totally agree...I have my 4th broody of the year sitting right now, hatch date this Friday. With the exception of this last one that is in a different kind of cage that my husband made, all of my others, I transferred from the nesting boxes to a dog kennel. I actually had enough room for the dog kennel to sit inside the coop. This allowed for the other chickens to be exposed to the baby chicks without disturbing them. And it keeps other hens from laying eggs in the nest of the broody...My first time at this I was a nervous wreck, but now I just make sure mama hen has feed, water and clean her nest and let nature run its course...much less stressful. Good luck!