Broody hen on empty nest - questions!

[dontskipabeat03]

I'm new here (posted an introduction in the other folder) - we just moved into a new home and the prior residents left us their chickens, 8 hens and a rooster. I was very excited that one of the hens was sitting on a nest and was thinking I'd be having some new baby chicks. The prior owners told me that what they had done in the past was remove the hen from the nest once a day to try to get her to eat/stretch her legs/etc - so I tried that (she pecks HARD) much to my surprise/disappointment, she's refusing to get off of an EMPTY NEST!! Is this normal?? Could I take eggs from another chicken and stick them under her and have her hatch them out or should I just leave her alone until she decides to get off the nest?

 

[CMV]

If you want babies then let her sit on some fertile eggs. If you don't want babies then you will have to break the broody cycle because it is not good for them to be broody indefinitely.

Good luck.

Edited to add-

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Yes, you can do that. You say you have a rooster, so chances are good that the eggs are fertile. Just stick them under her, and wait 21 days! Good luck!