Broody Hen sitting for a week

[DottieMarie]

I've been thinking about this and since we have dogs, maybe a wire dog create (24 X 36) would work. I could make a nest for her in a box and still have plenty of room to add food and water. Now, would I have to let her out of the crate for any reason or just leave her in there until the eggs either hatch or go bad? Since I don't know if these eggs are fertile, do I just count days and decide when enough is enough? I don't know how or when to candle eggs or if it's even a good idea.

 

[TechEdFireman]

I have a broody finishing up right now...10 out of 14 so far hatched. I have "factory" nest boxes and she was in one of those the whole time, she didn't have any problems keeping her box when they started hatching and moving around they went down to the ground move the eggs down there with her and she hatched out 4 more,I did since the start of the hatch isolate her in this area so she is alone with the chicks.

 

[BeccaOH]

Yes, I think that size dog crate should work. My girl is in a pen that is something like 16 inches deep and 4 feet long. There is plenty of room for a food and water area on one end, a nest box on the other and walking area between. As long as she can get up and stretch her legs if she wishes and poo away from the nest she should be comfortable.

 

[bwebb7]

Oh, be prepared-there is no poo like broody poo! Give her a few minutes to poo away from where she sets!
just pick her up and take her out and watch to see where she poos
If she doesn't go back in 5 mins or so just put her back

 

[DottieMarie]

I didn't get to work on it last night but today is the day. I'm taking the dog crate out to the coop, make a nest using a milk crate with straw and putting in food and water in the other end. If I understand some of the suggestions I've read on here, the hen and eggs should be moved at night??? Is there a chance she won't sit after moving her? Are there any precautions I need to take to up my chances of this working?
Sorry for all the questions but thanks for all your responses

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Depending on your hen, and the particular voices she hears in her head, she may not want to set after being moved. Some hens are more flighty, more easily upset, more likely to quit. And then there are other hens that you could pick up off their nests, strap them to a rocket and shoot them to the moon, and once they crash-landed in a crater, would immediately trot off to find some moon rocks to incubate (after leaving a huge broody poop and taking a quick bath in the moon dust).

That's why it's best to do any moving/handling after dark, when chickens are more oblivious to reality. Try to move smoothly & efficiently. I try to move the hen right in the nest box if I can, or slide the whole nest onto a box before moving it.

Sometimes it helps to make her new site dark at least for the first few days, and block her view of the world outside. I drape old feed sacks over the sides to help her focus instead on her egglings.

Good luck to you & your hen!

 

[DottieMarie]

Ahhh, thanks; I like the idea of making it dark for a bit. Not too sure how I'm going to move the nest smoothly though. I guess just have everything ready and grab and move. Keep your fingers crossed!!

 

[sloop2]

I am new to this as well and want to tell you all how much I appreciate the dialog that goes on here.

I have a chicken that didn't lay for almost a year and suddenly about 3 months ago she decided to lay and as of yesterday she has gone broody! Go figure, I guess she finally figured out what she was made for. Anyway, I don't have a roo but I do have a friend who is going to bring me a few fertilized eggs from her farm. I'm going to see how she does with the possiblity of becoming a mommy.

I did want to ask if any of you know of any special needs she might have? I mean she doesn't want to move for anything including food and water. Should I bring it to her or will she get up when she needs to? She has always been my biggest eater and I don't want her to become ill or anything. Any suggestions you can offer are most appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[DottieMarie]

Hi Sloop2,
You may want to start a thread with your questions. I really don't know what to do for a broody hen, I figure she'll get her food and water as she needs it but I do take treats to her (scratch, lettuce).
Good luck with your egg hatching!