Broody hen question

[ohiojoyce]

I would like to hatch a few eggs via broody hen.
I currently have 2 broody hens. I marked 5 eggs for each hen.
The problem is they change nest boxes every day, leaving the marked eggs to cool.
I’m assuming that other hens push them out?
I read that you shouldn’t move the broody to a different location so I left them in 2 nesting boxes. I have 4 boxes.
Any tips?

 

[cherrynberry]

The eggs won't hatch at this rate. Its likely that the other hens are pushing them out since broody hens tend to occupy the favorite nest(s). In your case, it may be a good idea to build a nest for them elsewhere (like a nest in a dog crate) or something like that. Obviously, provide them with their own food and water sources and make sure the other hens can't bother them. Personally, I would keep the two broodies separate too. If one does end up "breaking" due to the move, just remember that one broody hen can take care of 10 eggs (assuming your birds are SF). Also, I would keep the nest in the coop so that they can see the other hens.

These are just tips. Hopefully someone with more broody hatching experience will be able to give some more tips.

 

[Yardmom]

You might want to put the broodies in an area where they can see the flock, but not get back to the original nests. I have used cages or dog crates. You will need to give them a couple of times off the nest each day to poo and this can be the time for them to eat and drink. Some hens I have been able to let out and will return to the eggs in 15 minutes others closer to an hour. Some will go back to the original nest site for the first few days, but settle quickly when locked in again. Some say to do the move to the crate after dark. I do it at any time, but I don't usually move partially started eggs. The started eggs mean you need her to settle quickly so dark may help. I would not put the 2 broodies together unless they are already sharing a nest on their own.

 

[Faraday40]

You could also put up a barrier to prevent in/out. My broody champion "Cookie" was the only bantam in a coop of giant English Orpingtons and a few other large fowl breeds. They would sometimes push her out. I used clothes pins to hang a mesh netting. Each morning I'd open it as I cleaned and did my daily chicken routine. Cookie would take her bio break and return promptly.

Cookie was a special kind of "super hen" when it came to raising chicks. I could always rely on her broody instincts.

I have also used the "broody apartment" method. It's best to move the hen at night with her eggs. Keep it dark with a blanket for the 1st day. That will keep hen on the nest. Remove the blanket the 2nd night, so hen will wake up in new location with the sunrise. After being there on her eggs for over a day, she will think she's always been there - or simply not care because she has her eggs.

Here's a pic of a broody apartment when 2 of my hens went broody

 

[ohiojoyce]

Thank you for the tips. Really appreciate.

 

[Faraday40]

Also a word of caution....
"Broodiness" is contagious.

I was hoping for a broody hen and ended up with a mostly broody coop. At the moment 5 chickens are sitting on eggs and 3 are raising chicks. It's easier to list who's not broody = my rooster and an older silkie hen. Who knows, those 2 may join in soon.

Broody fever has taken over my coop: