Broody silkie- "now what"

[fishman65]

I have a pen with (i think) 3 hens and 1 rooster. One of my hens started to lay eggs about a month ago, after about 20 eggs she started to sit on the eggs. I put up to 13 eggs in her nest and she is setting like a champ. Now my question, when they hatch should i take them away and put in a brooder or let mom take care of them. If i leave them will the others harm them? If i take them away what will momma do, stay broody, start laying again or just plot to peck me to death. They are all the same age, about 30 weeks and only one has laid eggs. The other two are just watching! Lazy hens!

 

[Shared Acres]

Move her at night about a week before she is due to hatch. She will get defensive about her babies and the other adults may not step as lightly or may peck the babies.

I let the mommas raise them, less work for me.

Typically, when I take away babies, it seems to take about a month or so for momma to start laying again.

 

[fishman65]

If i take away the eggs at day 15 and put in hatcher will momma stay broody even though she has no eggs. or will she start laying again. I always have BO eggs that i can give her but they are alot bigger than her eggs and a different color. I don't really want to move her for fear that she will not sit on the eggs in a new pen.