Broody hen sharing coop with hens

[bobbi-j]

No I do not have the 7 eggs I want to hatch marked. The reason being, they are serama eggs and the rest of my hens are full sized so I just pull out all full size eggs daily and leave the seven serama ones. I’m making it a priority to check eggs twice a day now. She gets off at feeding time to eat so I can quickly pull the big eggs then. Shall I mark them even tho any other eggs laid will be obvious since they are full size?

That would be up to you. If you can tell the difference, you wouldn't have to. Mine are all the same size, so I have to mark what I want to hatch.

Also, she is the highest on the pecking order, the full size hens are terrified of her and run if she approaches so they will not be bullying her attempting to kick her from the nest. They just sneak in while she eats and lay a quick egg

Sounds like she's pretty feisty! That will serve her and the chicks well once they're hatched.

 

[WVduckchick]

Make an enclosure with a very small opening that she can fit thru, but the big girls can't.

 

[happyfrenchman]

No I do not have the 7 eggs I want to hatch marked. The reason being, they are serama eggs and the rest of my hens are full sized so I just pull out all full size eggs daily and leave the seven serama ones. I’m making it a priority to check eggs twice a day now. She gets off at feeding time to eat so I can quickly pull the big eggs then. Shall I mark them even tho any other eggs laid will be obvious since they are full size?

No. I would say that if you know them apart there is no need to mark them. I know nothing about Seramas..... As long as if she hatches them, the chicks will be able to come and go from the nest.... because the hatched ones will need to get out and about a little bit while Mom might be staying to incubate a slower nestmate. My nest boxes are off the ground which is fine til you have chicks in there.... Good luck with your broody hen.....

 

[anniep]

Make an enclosure with a very small opening that she can fit thru, but the big girls can't.

Oh my goodness that’s smart!!