Broody hen unfertilized eggs

[Emilyrajbc]

I have a hen who has become broody she is sitting on a cluch that is unfertilized I need to move her and her coop as I am moving but I’d like switch her eggs with fertilized ones any suggestions on how I can do this without stressing her out too much

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

I wouldn’t give her different eggs until after you move just incase the move brings her out of her broodiness. How long has she been sitting already? However, I wouldn’t let her continue to sit on the current eggs because they’ll rot and could cause a nasty mess to deal with. You could give her fake eggs or golf balls although sometimes hens go broody while sitting on nothing but a nest.

When do you move?

 

[Emilyrajbc]

She has been sitting on them for almost a week. I move in 2 days. I will try removing the eggs and using golf balls. Thank you

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Good luck!

 

[PirateGirl]

I was told wear long sleeves and gloves and just pick her up. Seriously, it's like my broody was frozen in position. Even when I picked her up she stayed perfectly still in the hunched position with feet tucked and feathers ruffled. I move her at least once a day to collect eggs and sometimes even lock her out of the coop for a bit. She still returns to sit on her empty nest. Definitely take the non-fertilized eggs away. This won't break her. Don't give her the new eggs until you move, you don't want to disrupt incubation.

 

[Emilyrajbc]

Thank you I will wait until she is moved and settled in before I give her new eggs to hatch.