Broody Hen Thread!

[Jharper]

I am not sure if this is the right place but I am very new to chickens and have tons of questions.  The one I have about a broody hen is I have one right now that is setting and if all goes well her eggs will hatch this weekend.  All of a sudden this week I have another hen that has decided she is going to sit on the eggs with her.  She is making her a nervous wreck and is climbing all over her.  Is this normal? If not any suggestions?

Since it is getting so close to the hatching date can you quarantine her?

 

[abalassone]

The bird that is trying to sit with her or the one that was originally sitting? I didn't know if it was ok to move her and the eggs. Sorry if I sound dumb. Very new!

 

[Jharper]

The one that was sitting on the eggs.

 

[abalassone]

Ok I will try that and see what happens. Thanks.

 

[Jharper]

Welcome.

 

[gr8tlygraced1]

I have a hen who has been setting about a week. Twice during that time she has become confused between her nest and the nests of my laying hens and been off her own eggs for several hours. Is there a chance the eggs are still viable? I have read that she should be moved to another location so this type of confusion doesn't take place but I have tried that before with the result being that the hen never returns to her eggs at all. I decided I would just leave this one alone and let whatever happens, happen.

 

[Jharper]

I have a hen who has been setting about a week. Twice during that time she has become confused between her nest and the nests of my laying hens and been off her own eggs for several hours.  Is there a chance the eggs are still viable?   I have read that she should be moved to another location so this type of confusion doesn't take place but I have tried that before with the result being that the hen never returns to her eggs at all. I decided I would just leave this one alone and let whatever happens, happen.

I would move her and candle her eggs to check to see if they are still good.

 

[Shellz]

I would move her and candle her eggs to check to see if they are still good.

X2

 

[Shellz]

Yay, my broodies are done hatching! 2/3 for hen above & 11/15 for these 2 hens. 13 live healthy chicks! Yippee!!!

 

[samsr]

I have a brood cochin that has been sitting on eggs for the past 21 days. This is her first time and the eggs she is on are poo covered and nasty. What do you think the chances are that some will hatch. She started out with 8 eggs and she is now down to three. One ahe kicked out because it was bad. I have no clue where the other 4 went. Today should be the day of hatch. If they dont hatch i will get her a couple of chicks to see if she will take them in.