Can someone help with Broody Hen Questions???

[1mommahen]

I have a Cochin gone big time broody. Have fertilized eggs coming tomorrow

The coop she is in is small with 3 other cochins. Can I put her in by basement in a dog crate? Is it best she stay with her roomates? They keep sitting in the same nesting box as her so I don't know how many eggs she has. When should I put the new eggs under her?

Thanks, just when I thought I understood chickens they throw me another curveball!

 

[speckledhen]

I'd separate her if she'll accept being separated. When your shipped eggs arrive, let them sit a few hours to come up to a warmer temp, then put them under her. She may snap out of her broody spell if she's moved, but that's a chance we take. If you do not separate her now, you could do it when the babies start hatching/just after they hatch.

 

[sewincircle]

I agree with Speckled hen. In case she does snap out of broody when moved, I would warm up the incubator. (just in case) I cant seem to break my broody girl no matter what I do.

 

[1mommahen]

She's pretty snippy so I really don't want to move her but I have to get the others to stop nesting with her. I guess that's what I have to figure out today.

Is there a good time to slip the eggs under her, or doesn't it matter? Thanks for your help. Any suggestions are more than welcome!

 

[1mommahen]

Sewin, I can't even get her to budge so see what's under her. I just wish it was fertilized eggs! I have blrw eggs due tomorrow so we'll see.

It feels like Christmas all over again!

 

[jvls1942]

move the OTHER chickens and leave her be, then..

I like to set or switch eggs at night..

 

[okiehen]

Its best to move her and add eggs at night.
Best of luck, I love the broodys.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I have a broody cochin too and one of my faverolle's sits on her and keeps pulling out her feathers on her head!

She looks just horrible! Good luck! And no it doesn't really matter when you put them under her. Did you say there was already eggs under her? If so when those hatch she will prob give up on the other eggs.

 

[1mommahen]

Hangin she has 1 fake egg and one of her own non-fertilized eggs. So hopefully I can pull them out when I put the others in. DH is already working on modifications to the coop as we speak

Can't imagine life without him!

I'll keep udating as we go along. Thanks all!