broody jersey giant

[ashferrell]

Hi everyone!
Ok I have my first broody hen... I think. Its monday and she started sitting on wednesday or thursday of last week on 14 eggs in the coop. Since this is my first hen to go broody and first time to hatch chicks I'm not sure if I need to do anything. My concern is should I move her to a separate coop we already have set up or should I leave her with the rest of the flock. And if I move her how should I go about it. I've read some different things on doing both but im still not sure. Also should I candle the eggs and whats the best way?
Thankas in advance!!

 

[iwiw60]

Hi everyone!
Ok I have my first broody hen... I think. Its monday and she started sitting on wednesday or thursday of last week on 14 eggs in the coop. Since this is my first hen to go broody and first time to hatch chicks I'm not sure if I need to do anything. My concern is should I move her to a separate coop we already have set up or should I leave her with the rest of the flock. And if I move her how should I go about it. I've read some different things on doing both but im still not sure. Also should I candle the eggs and whats the best way?
Thankas in advance!!

Here's a great page with a wealth of information for you!
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/08/caring-for-broody-hens-facilitating-egg.html

I'm soooo jealous! I'm hoping some day to do this!

 

[ashferrell]

Thank you!!! Thats a lot of information. I guess im still up in that air about moving here. This is my forst broody and I dont want her to abandon her nest.

 

[iwiw60]

If you can, I'd suggest leaving her where she is...

 

[ashferrell]

Ok so its better to leave them. I was worried about her staying in the coop because the other girls keep trying to lay on top of her and I found a broken egg this morning when she got off the nest to eat.

 

[red horse ranch]

Ok so its better to leave them. I was worried about her staying in the coop because the other girls keep trying to lay on top of her and I found a broken egg this morning when she got off the nest to eat.

If the other hens are still getting in the nest with her I would suggest moving her. Too much chance of other eggs breaking which WILL happen. And you'll also have eggs due to hatch at different times. I have moved them before and most times it works, but I had one hen this year that refused to stay on the new nest. I ended up putting her in a third nest that she accepted. It's definitely easier to do with two people. One to hold momma and another to gather the eggs and put them in the new nest.

 

[ashferrell]

Ok I think my husband and I are going to try and move her tonight. Hopefully she stays on the new nest!!

 

[red horse ranch]

Ok I think my husband and I are going to try and move her tonight. Hopefully she stays on the new nest!!

Let us know how it goes.

 

[ashferrell]

Well I think it went ok. We moved her and aparently she didnt like it in the new coop so we just moved her back and she went back to sitting . today we fenced off a section of the pen and old coop so she has her own spot and she seems ok so were going to leave her there. At least now none of the other hens can lay in her box with her.

 

[red horse ranch]

Well I think it went ok. We moved her and aparently she didnt like it in the new coop so we just moved her back and she went back to sitting . today we fenced off a section of the pen and old coop so she has her own spot and she seems ok so were going to leave her there. At least now none of the other hens can lay in her box with her.

Sometimes they can be picky about where they want to be. Glad it's working out for you.