Broody hen question...

[austinhart123]

As of yesterday my frizzle/silkie has gone broody in my chick n barn! She is very protective of her eggs and keeping them nice and warm!! My question is i want to move the nest boxes around so it is easier to collect eggs/observe the broody hen better, so should i do it now, after dark, or wait till shes been setting longer?

 

[austinhart123]

ummm does anyone want to answer??????

 

[bigzio]

It's best to seperate the broody from the general laying flock. It's best to not have other hens adding eggs to the broody nest.

This keeps distractions to a minimum for mom and will keep the new born safe from the rest of the flock when they are hatched and near the nest.

You will need to provide fresh water and feed for mom near the nest, as well as chick starter and chick waterers for the newbies once they arrive. Mom will show them where the feed and water is once they hatch.

Broody good moms are priceless and need to be given their own private space to avoid any problems that would or could develop otherwise....
hope this helps some?

bigzio

 

[austinhart123]

Kay but when is the best time to move her?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi!
If you want to move your broody hen, it would best be done in the dark.
Even then, I would suggest some sort of enclosure to keep her in the immediate area of the new nest.
Otherwise, she might try to go back to the old nest even after you've moved the eggs.

Good luck!

Lisa

 

[austinhart123]

okay thank you guys im goin out in a half hour to move her

 

[austinhart123]

stage 1 complete... if she setts in the new location, i will post pics tomorrow

 

[bigzio]

Hope you have good luck with the move!

I choose to build nest boxes that can be removed with the broody and her eggs. Then I have another to replace the one that was removed.

It can be as simple as a housing frame to accept cardboard boxes, or more elabrate framed nests.

It makes the move easy, and the broody mom feel at home when moved.

bigzio