Can I move a sitting hen

[dugue4]

One of my hens is sitting on eggs, the problem is 3 others still lay in the same box. Can I move the broody?

 

[Weeg]

You can, though its risky. Some broods will still sit on the eggs other may give up. It's your call, but how far into the incubation period is she?

 

[wyochick10]

Depends on the chicken I think and possibly how far along they are. I have moved one with no problem at all. And I have moved another one that refused to get back on the eggs after I moved her. But I do think you should probably try so the eggs don’t get broken or just keep piling up since other birds are sharing the nest box.

 

[Weeg]

If you are worried about her sharing a nest box, you could just block the box off to the other chickens. Unless she is taking up a lot of space, or she won't have enough space as the nest grows.

 

[dugue4]

4-6 days in

 

[Weeg]

Hmm, her being not so far into incubation is more risky since she won’t as dedicated to the nest, but it’s more about the chicken. How old is she, really it’s your call weather to mover her or not, but how dedicated does she seem, will she puff up and hiss when you come near, or dose
she care less. Whether you mover her or not though it’s best that she is separated so no one can bother her while she’s sitting. Good luck, Avery

 

[ariri30]

I move mine when the eggs hatched. They won’t leave the babies. At least not mine haven’t yet. I marked the eggs and checked every day and removed the new laid eggs. That works for me

 

[ariri30]

Oh here is my last hatched chicks and mom

 

[Peppercorngal]

I have never been successful in moving a broody. It would be easier to mark the eggs that she is incubating and just remove the ones the other hens lay in the box daily. This is actually a nice setup as the other hens help to incubate the eggs giving mom the opportunity to leave the nest and eat, dust bathe, etc. Just mark the eggs to leave and take the rest! Good Luck!

 

[Weeg]

Ya, that would be less risky, once w thad a broody hen who gave up a week from hatching and our buff orpington who had been laying eggs under her took over when she realized she had given up. So sometimes if you have chickens sharing a nest box, you get nanny chickens!