Broody Pullet in a community nest box?

[Nomadicus]

I have a young Delaware pullet who is bent on having kids. I've had her off in jail once and she came right back to the end of a Best Rollout community box. There is not way she can stay there. Tonight I gave here 4 eggs that are trapped and can't roll out. I can manage here during the day tomorrow and maybe Monday. Has anyone ever gave a broody chicks in the dark after they only spent 2-3 days on the eggs? It's either give her chicks now or wait another 11-12 days when I have hatchery chicks arriving. I wouldn't feel bad about giving her a few of the male chicks that I will have extras of in case things go bad with her. I can be by her when it gets light enough for her to see the chicks and if she doesn't accept them I can boot her and take the chicks to the brooder. Anyone have any other ideas on how to handle the little Diva?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It sounds like you want her to raise chicks, I'm not sure if you would prefer for her to hatch some instead of just giving her chicks.

I haven't given a hen that has just gone broody chicks to raise. I have had a hen that had just gone broody fight another hen to take her chicks to raise. Giving her chicks is one that might work but I'm not as confident as I'd like that it would actually wok. Each one is an individual, I can't guarantee that a hen that has been broody for three weeks will actually accept chicks, though I've done that several times and it worked. I'd feel a lot more comfortable trying it with those chicks in 11 to 12 days.

If you want her to hatch her own you can't try it in a rollout nest. Too many things can and will go wrong. You can isolate her. Build a pen with a nest, room for food and water, and not much else. Lock her in that pen with those four eggs to see if she accepts the move. If she accepts the move you can give her fresh eggs if you are not comfortable with those four. I'd expect to leave her locked in that pen until the eggs hatch. Do not give her a chance to go back to her old nest. The risk here is that she breaks from being broody.

 

[Nomadicus]

I know that the rollout box would not work for sure. It's probably best I just let her run the course and give up. I have my hands full with building new hoop coops and running water and power lines. She might act like a spring chicken but I don't move that fast now.