Broody hen

[BreenaAndTony]

So, I have a hen that was given to me about 9 months ago. She was pretty young and very skittish. I've only held her once and that was the day I brought her home. I have 7 other hens whom are very friendly and have no problem hitching a ride on my shoulder across the yard to the feed box. She on the other hand will steer clear of any human. Well, she disappeared for a while so when I finally seen her again I watched to see where she was going. She had laid a clutch of eggs under an old feed container (very hidden). Within a few days she had chicks walking out with her. We have a very bad problem with hawks so I caught her (almost lost an ear) and the chicks and put them in a coop. I forgot to take the eggs out of the nest box that my Rhode island red had been laying eggs in (so much excitement) and now my new mom is laying on those eggs. The eggs should be fertil and the day before I had counted and there were 9. Should I take the eggs from her or take the chicks from her and let her hatch the new clutch of eggs? She's been on the eggs too long for me to salvage them. I'm sure the incubation process has started by now. Will she even take care of the chicks now that she's laying on another clutch. Big mistake on my part, but how should I fix this? Any comments and opinions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

If it were me, I would toss the eggs and let her raise the chicks. It's so much easier than brooder rearing.

 

[BreenaAndTony]

If it were me, I would toss the eggs and let her raise the chicks. It's so much easier than brooder rearing.

I've been told that some hens will stay broody as long as they have a clutch to sit on. I don't mind raising the bitties if she won't, I just need to know what's in her best interest. Is it bad for her to sit this long. I've seen that people have hens specifically for hatching... hmm. Seems kind of cruel to expect so much of her. I'm itching to learn I guess. Thanks so much for commenting : )

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

As long as you make sue she is eating, drinking, and defecating, she should be fine to hatch this clutch. You may need to care for the other chicks that have already hatched though. Good luck to you and your broody!

 

[azygous]

It's your choice, but you are correct that it would take a toll on this broody to incubate another clutch without so much as a break. If she's been in constant contact with the chicks since you moved her to the new nest with the eggs, she will take over the care of her chicks as soon as you clean all those eggs out of the nest.

That is what I would urge you to do since it was a mistake on your part not to remove those eggs before you placed her in the nest. This way you can correct your mistake, and the broody can get back to rearing her brood.

 

[BreenaAndTony]

It's your choice, but you are correct that it would take a toll on this broody to incubate another clutch without so much as a break. If she's been in constant contact with the chicks since you moved her to the new nest with the eggs, she will take over the care of her chicks as soon as you clean all those eggs out of the nest.

That is what I would urge you to do since it was a mistake on your part not to remove those eggs before you placed her in the nest. This way you can correct your mistake, and the broody can get back to rearing her brood.

You'll be happy to know that I fixed my MISTAKE and took the eggs out . I spoke to a few people who said it's normal for a broody to take on another clutch, if that's what she wants let it happen and a few like you who said the opposite and that I'd be cruel to leave the eggs with her. Because it was my MISTAKE, I took them from her but had she hopped on a clutch that she wasn't locked in a coop with, absolutely not! I'd let her do her thing Thanks for you opinion, it's much appreciated

 

[azygous]

So, how are the chicks doing? Is she caring for them?

 

[BreenaAndTony]

So, how are the chicks doing? Is she caring for them?

I never took the chicks out of the coop so she never stopped caring for them. While the eggs were in there and she was laying on them they were still staying under her wings unless I fed or they were out drinking and scratching. All is well and she's still ole mother hen

 

[azygous]

Excellent!