Broody won't let me move her and eggs

[Matilda Belle]

The hatch is expected next weekend. She is currently set up in a coop with the other hens and roosters. The run and coop are predator proof except for probably snakes. I tried to move her and the eggs into a private cage like I did before but this hen will not allow it. She threw a big giant broody tantrum until I let her back into the coop. Is it okay for her to be with the other chickens when the chicks hatch? Any suggestions?

 

[ashlierami]

The hatch is expected next weekend. She is currently set up in a coop with the other hens and roosters. The run and coop are predator proof except for probably snakes. I tried to move her and the eggs into a private cage like I did before but this hen will not allow it. She threw a big giant broody tantrum until I let her back into the coop. Is it okay for her to be with the other chickens when the chicks hatch? Any suggestions?

I would suggest moving her at night. Gently take the eggs first and move then. Then take her and put her on the eggs. She shouldn't notice the difference once morning comes. I had a difficult broody before and had to do this. She adjusted and was fine. I would move her before hatch to ensure the chicks aren't picked on or harmed.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

All my hens hatch with the flock. I have to be mindful of any chick who accidentally gets out from under the mum and can't find their way back. They may chill or get pecked and tossed around by an over zealous flock member, usually a teenager.. without the broody protecting them. Sometimes I will block the chicks into the nest with food and water available during daylight only and collected to avoid rats at night which will eat chicks who won't feed in the dark anyways.

None of my broody's will move to another location while sitting. But they will all stay once chicks are hatching under them. So if I want them moved I will do it hatch night in the dark as suggested by the other poster. They will usually stay until the chicks can follow her back the original nest site.

When mama takes them out the chicks quickly learn who to avoid and who is OK. Most roosters will protect chicks as they may be their own. Mine even call them to treats and such. But pay attention to yours as all are individuals and may react differently.

Since I hatch often and have chicks all the time... I re-home or cull any persistent chick or mama bullies. Zero tolerance.

Good luck!

 

[imnukensc]

Assuming the chicks can easily get into and out of the nest box, leave her where she is. A mama hen will take care of her chicks around the grownups.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Good advice. I'll think on it a bit more. Maybe I will just leave her and see what happens. This morning when I let the chickens out, I didn't see any of them in the coop. When I opened up the nest box, all three hens were in the nest box and the rooster was sitting on top of them. I got a pretty good laugh at that.

 

[rebrascora]

If she is prepared to have a go at you when you mess with her eggs and nest then she will have a go at any flock member that messes with her chicks.
I allow my broodies to hatch and raise their chicks in the flock too and have yet to see another bird do more than chastise a chick that probably warranted it. The risks with leaving them in communal nest boxes is that other birds can climb in and lay additional eggs and sometimes crush incubating eggs or chicks as they are hatching in the process, or chicks falling out of the nest and being unable to get back in and dying of the cold before you find them. I therefore sometimes block them in the nest and let the broody out each day to have her broody break and as others have suggested, place food and water or wet mash so that no extra water is needed and can be , in with her depending on space available.