Broody Hen Separation?

[chickensnstuff]

Hello! So I have a Buff Orphington(however you spell it) and she is broody, yay! For the past couple years every time she has gotten broody, the eggs end up in a disaster(last year she got up and the other chickens ate the two week old eggs

) anyways, I've been reading about broody hens and their chicks and a lot of people say that they separate the mother hen and her chicks to another coop so the baby chicks don't get pecked to death when they hatch. Other articles say to let The mother hen handle everything and that most of the time the broody hen will not let any harm come to her chicks. What is the best thing to do? We have six other hens and one rooster and we haven't been able to let them free range for a long amount of time each day, thanks to our neighbor who almost got us a ticket, but I try letting them out for at least two hours a day. When they aren't free ranging they stay in the run and don't go into the coop unless it is to lay their eggs.

 

[Pork Pie]

The best thing to do is to do what suits you and your set-up. Since you have had issues in the past, it may be better to separate the broody. Ideally this should be done in the coop, so she can still remain in sight of the flock.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if past experiences allowing her to brood and hatch have been unsuccessful. I would try separating her from the flock the next time.

 

[chickensnstuff]

Thanks. I have ended up leaving her in her nest because none of the hens seem interested in her at all. Thanks for the advice though!

 

[Lillypads]

When my hens are hatching egg I put them in a separate cage with food and water but I only do this when the eggs are close to being hatched. This way the other members of the flock don't harm the chicks. I put the hen and her chicks in a separate coop or area until the chicks are strong enough to keep up with the mother. Some times if the mother begins to peck the babies I'll just raise them myself. It's really up to you what you want to do. I'd see how your hen reacts to the chicks.