Broody's Eggs Haven't Pipped, Should I be At All Concerned??

[roostersandhens]

Is she inside a secure coop or did she set up nest somewhere not as safe? It's totally different if you are concerned about her being eaten rather than just able to keep the chicks warm.

No, she is not in a secure coop. This is why I was really hoping her chicks would have hatched today so I could move them in the house. The coyotes are being really bold because of the drought here in CA, which hopefully will end if we get rain this winter and fall. She is not safe. Not at all. I am really worried. She is pretty well hidden in a bush, but these coyotes are desperate. They could find her. Would you worry about abandonment at this point if I moved her?

 

[roostersandhens]

So, what should I do if we're worried about her getting eaten??

 

[RoosterDon]

Can you put a fence around her bush? There is really cheap fencing at home depot, if you have neighboring trees you can stable it to, then predator proof the bottom.

Regarding disturbing your hen, it was not something I was really worried about with ours, and she let me put my hand under her and raise her up to check on the eggs. I even removed them to check on pipping or to see if I could hear them inside the egg. I did not candle them. Then one hatched yesterday. So, it sounds like there are differing opinions, but if your hen will not peck at or hurt you, I think she will understand that you are just watching out for her best interest.

I would be worried about moving her, and maybe would look at fencing her in, or maybe renting or buying like a box fence that you could put over her. I have seen small fences like that on Craigs List in the farm and garden section (you can type in "Chicken" and it will show you everything related to chicken).

 

[roostersandhens]

Can you put a fence around her bush? There is really cheap fencing at home depot, if you have neighboring trees you can stable it to, then predator proof the bottom.

Regarding disturbing your hen, it was not something I was really worried about with ours, and she let me put my hand under her and raise her up to check on the eggs. I even removed them to check on pipping or to see if I could hear them inside the egg. I did not candle them. Then one hatched yesterday. So, it sounds like there are differing opinions, but if your hen will not peck at or hurt you, I think she will understand that you are just watching out for her best interest.

I would be worried about moving her, and maybe would look at fencing her in, or maybe renting or buying like a box fence that you could put over her. I have seen small fences like that on Craigs List in the farm and garden section (you can type in "Chicken" and it will show you everything related to chicken).

Okay, I'll see what I can do... Thank you!

 

[RoosterDon]

can you download a picture of her nesting area and what the area looks like around her?

 

[roostersandhens]

I heard a chick peep real loud, so I peeked under Rhonda. Didn't see a chick, so I am guessing one pipped and is possibly zipping.

 

[roostersandhens]

can you download a picture of her nesting area and what the area looks like around her?

Yeah. One sec..

 

[roostersandhens]

can you download a picture of her nesting area and what the area looks like around her?

Here is the bush she is in from a front view:



This is the bush from a side view:


And this is Rhonda in the bush in her nest:

 

[bobbi-j]

Since she's not in a coop, you don't have much choice but to move her if it's going to rain. The chick you heard may have been hatched (unless you didn't see any broken shells) and hidden in her feathers. Just a suggestion for the future - if you have another hen that nests outside or in an unsafe place, you may want to consider moving her earlier on during the incubation period. Like in the first week or so. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[roostersandhens]

Since she's not in a coop, you don't have much choice but to move her if it's going to rain. The chick you heard may have been hatched (unless you didn't see any broken shells) and hidden in her feathers. Just a suggestion for the future - if you have another hen that nests outside or in an unsafe place, you may want to consider moving her earlier on during the incubation period. Like in the first week or so. I hope it all works out for you.

Okay. Would you worry about her abandoning the chicks and eggs if I move her?? I didn't see any egg shells but I didn't look too hard. I kinda think I would have seen it though..