Broody Momma Hen

[lydiagirl99]

I am fairly new to the world of chickens, though I've had 4 hens for almost 2 years, I'm just now starting to get the hang of stuff. Knowing my breeds, I just added a beautiful araucana rooster to the flock, got 3 ducklings and incubated and hatched 4 of my own chicks. However, I have never dealt with a broody hen before. One of my hens who I believe is a Rhode island red, just went broody about 8 days ago, sitting on a clutch of about 15 eggs. She constantly sits on them and of course yells at me when I come near. I've left her in the nesting box she chose and the other hens just lay in different boxes now. My nesting boxes however, are about 3-4 feet from the ground... when she chicks hatch, I don't want them falling and getting hurt or something but I don't want the broody (Named Crumbs) to abandon her babies if I move her, either. Also, I've noticed whenever she comes down for food or water, the other hens pick on her a lot. Mostly my bossy hen Roxy but the other 2 girls do it as well. Should I try and provide her with somewhere else to raise her young ?

 

[sumi]

Leave her where she is now and when the chicks hatched, keep an eye on her and see when she's ready to leave the nest with them. Once they're up and about, which will be approximately 1-2 days after hatching, you can help them down from the nest, though mom will probably call them to jump down. Chicks are surprisingly tough little things and 3-4 foot jump would seem a lot to us and not do them any harm, provided they have a safe landing spot. You will have to provide a place on floor level for them to sleep at night though, as they'd be unable to return to the nest.

Keep an eye on the pecking hens when mom's up and about with the chicks and make sure they don't mess with the chicks and if so, that mom is protecting them. Good luck with the hatch!

 

[lydiagirl99]

Thank you so much !