Can I move a sitting hen

[Weeg]

You just want to make sure that your rooster isn't gonna try and be all "humpty dump" on her while she is incubating the eggs, that will cause her to crack the eggs and kill the babies.

 

[Lovem all]

I'd probably add a second egg box in the coop, or mark all the eggs she has so the others don't get mixed in but I'd let her stay there or give her her very own special broody mama spot.

 

[dugue4]

I have 4 laying boxes, but they all like that one. I guess I’ll just mark them up

 

[Lovem all]

Picky girls, mine get the same way

 

[Peppercorngal]

You just want to make sure that your rooster isn't gonna try and be all "humpty dump" on her while she is incubating the eggs, that will cause her to crack the eggs and kill the babies.

I have never had a rooster try to mount a broody hen, on or off the nest, never.

 

[aart]

I have 4 laying boxes, but they all like that one. I guess I’ll just mark them up

Maybe put some fake eggs in the other nests.

I move my broodies before I give them fertile eggs.


When I have a broody and want her to hatch I wait until she's been in the nest most the day and all night for 2-3 days...along with those other signs I posted.

Then I put her in the broody enclosure with fake eggs in the floor nest, she won't like being moved, but if she is truly good and broody she will settle onto the new nest within a half a day.
Then I give her fresh fertile eggs and mark the calendar.

I like them separated by wire from the flock, it's just easier all around.
No having to mark eggs and remove any additions daily, no taking up a laying nest, no going back to the wrong nest after the daily constitutional.

I remove barrier about one week after hatch. The chicks are usually safe it's the broody who has to 'fight' her way back into the pecking order...which can be quick or take a few days.

Lots of space helps for re-integration.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I have 4 laying boxes, but they all like that one. I guess I’ll just mark them up

I have 18 nest boxes in coop #1 but for some reason they will wait in line for one of them! Chickens are chickens and they got to have that one box! I love them!

 

[Weeg]

I have never had a rooster try to mount a broody hen, on or off the nest, never.

I have had issues with it with ducks but never my own chickens. With the ducks I messed up bad and didn't set my broody up for success, an dit was terrible, in th end I was picking up dead duckling carcases that she had tosses. I just wanted to mention it just as something to keep an eye on. -Avery