broody incubation nightmare, need some help please.

[okiehen]

cat hen #1 how long was she broody before you moved her?
It sounds like this hen wasn't in a full blown brooding mode. I always make sure that my hens are in full broody before moving them. At least 5 days and nights, then leave them closed up in the dark new nest for the first full day and night after the move.
It has worked for me, I had 11 hens I set this year. But not to the hens fault didnt get all of them to hatch eggs. Our weather played a big roll in the eggs going rotten we had very hot temps at 99 to 105 for 2 weeks straight while my girls were setting.
I did have 5 hens to successfully hatch and raise chicks.

Silky's are great broody hens just let her do her thing, she'll be just fine. The other hen what breed is she? Do you have the nest she picked to set in loaded with fake eggs or golf balls?

Best of luck,

your hubby will buy you a bator. Hatching is so much fun.

 

[cat]

Quote:
Hi, thanks for taking the time to help me out.

Hen #1 is a Buff Orpington, she was broody for 3 weeks and sitting on everyone else's eggs, so I thought she was ready. In hindsight maybe she was comming out of it by then, (unfortunately I have not had much experience with broody hens and so maybe I left it too late.)

I think moving her upset her. I did move her at night and left her shut in the next 24 hours but when she came out and saw her friends over the other side of the yard she pitched a fit.
She is definately not feeling broody any more.

Katie the Silkie is happy to sit on the eggs and only gets of when lifted, but does not return to them as quickly as I tought she is supposed to. I gave her half an hour then lifted her back in, and she settled back down on the eggs happily. I am not sure if she is just not bonded to the new house yet.

I have put a bid on ebay for an incubator so fingers crossed! Thank you to everyone who has been helping me, there really is such a wealth of help and information on BYC, and you are all so generous with your time.