do you have a close up of a round pen? Are they pvc? ThanksSure. I give mine 2 or 3 days to settle---to make sure she is going to stay on the nest. I usually set her a couple days before I move her---I bought some ceramic eggs and i might try using them till I get her moved. Keep in mind all my nesting boxes are modified plastic milk crates and are movable-----which I feel is important. I get the hatching pen ready---food and water----then that night--in darkness I pick up the nesting box--with hen and carry it gently and place it in the hatching pen. If its so dark I can not see---I quickly(less than a second) flash my DIM light on and off to get my bearings. I quickly back away from the hatching pen---no noise. The next morning as its getting day light she will look out and see she is in a different place but she can see her food and water---nothing bothering her. She will settle right in. When its her 2nd or 3rd time to the hatching pens----they know what happen and seem so happy for the move. 63 last year and everyone accepted the move. This is one of the 4 section hatching pens I have. I have about 20 different hatching pens that I use when needed.I like these round pens-----when the chicks get old enough I just take the hen out at night and the chicks stay in the pen they are use to for some weeks longer.
You should be able to click on my original post and it enlarge. They are made out of 3/4" sch 40 pvc. The side "up" pieces are 1/2" pvc and the bar across the top is 1/2" emt---so it does not bow. Quick for me to build. Adding a door takes a little longer.
OK lets see if this helps. Ask questions before you start to build one of these---I do not mind sharing----if you do not "DO" these right you can end up with a "mess".
Some hens/pullets mature faster than others. I have had several in the last year that done the same thing----one layed a few eggs---then went broody. I set her, she hatched every one, she was a good mother. I took the chicks away from her when they were about a month old(sold them) its been months now and she has yet to start laying again----with her I now wonder if I should have broke her instead of set her??? Don't know for her, but if "I" had another one that breed that started setting that early---I would break her.
I agree! Cool her jets, take her off the nest every time you can. Put her outside the coop when you give them a treat. Anything to keep her out long enough to cool off and get the hormones under control.
