Broody Hen

[madisonboe]

So it looks like one of my hens has gone broody and is trying to hatch some eggs, she's been in the nesting box for about three days now and WILL NOT let me move her. I put some food and water next to her, this is my first time experiencing this so I don't want what else I should do for her. I do have a rooster so I'm assuming her eggs are fertile. Since she won't let me move her I have no clue who's eggs she's sitting on and how many. I read that I need to mark the eggs and take out any new ones laid but how am I supposed to do that if she doesn't move? Any advice or tips/ tricks would be highly appreciated!

 

[Pork Pie]

I think that main decision that you have to make is whether to let her hatch in a nest in the main coop or not. I only used to let my alpha hen hatch, so there was never an issue of other birds trying to add to the clutch or bothering the chicks when they hatched. Other members prefer to separate the broody hen to a nest where she cannot be disturbed (but preferably, within the main coop).

There's no need to put water / food near the broody. She will get off the nest almost every day to feed / dust bathe and run about like a nutcase for 10 minutes or so.

As for marking the eggs, maybe use some gardening gloves and pick up her and pop her outside, while you mark the eggs. Talking to her gently for a while and moving slowly tends to reduce the stress on the hen, whilst reducing the pecking you will almost certainly get

This link may be helpful -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks