Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying

[lotsahens]

I've had a hen "missing" for about 2 weeks - thought a hawk got her. She showed up this morning very hungry, but looking good. I suspect she has eggs out in the grass, but that's too large an area to inspect for a nest. We do have hawks, so have been penning up my free range hens and now I wonder - do I keep her penned up and away from the nest, or let them all out to range and hope she will bring the babies back (if the eggs hatch). I have a rooster and the eggs I eat are fertile, so there is a chance she will hatch the eggs. will she come home if the eggs don't hatch? How long will she be away from the coop with the babies before she comes home - if they do hatch? I've had hens for over 7 years, but this is the first time I'm dealing with an "iffy" about babies. Thanks for your help.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I've had a hen "missing" for about 2 weeks - thought a hawk got her. She showed up this morning very hungry, but looking good. I suspect she has eggs out in the grass, but that's too large an area to inspect for a nest. We do have hawks, so have been penning up my free range hens and now I wonder - do I keep her penned up and away from the nest, or let them all out to range and hope she will bring the babies back (if the eggs hatch). I have a rooster and the eggs I eat are fertile, so there is a chance she will hatch the eggs. will she come home if the eggs don't hatch? How long will she be away from the coop with the babies before she comes home - if they do hatch? I've had hens for over 7 years, but this is the first time I'm dealing with an "iffy" about babies. Thanks for your help.

If you want chicks----I would let her go back----follow her at a distance, but watch her real close----just not real close. Then I would fix her a private nesting area as close as what she has----you know----cut twigs or tall grass or what ever then when It gets dark I would go get her, eggs, and scoop up nest if possible and move her to the set-up place that you all ready have food and water set-up but not close to the nest----place her in this new spot and back away quietly, no talking, very dim light----if a light is needed. Good Luck

 

[lotsahens]

If you want chicks----I would let her go back----follow her at a distance, but watch her real close----just not real close. Then I would fix her a private nesting area as close as what she has----you know----cut twigs or tall grass or what ever then when It gets dark I would go get her, eggs, and scoop up nest if possible and move her to the set-up place that you all ready have food and water set-up but not close to the nest----place her in this new spot and back away quietly, no talking, very dim light----if a light is needed. Good Luck

Since it's been 2 weeks, I presume if there are chicks in the eggs, they are pretty well developed - and I wouldn't want them to "die" in the shell. So thanks for the process to use. I have to take our ggson to the library now for a couple of hours. How long can she be away from the nest? I could watch her this afternoon.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Since it's been 2 weeks, I presume if there are chicks in the eggs, they are pretty well developed - and I wouldn't want them to "die" in the shell. So thanks for the process to use. I have to take our ggson to the library now for a couple of hours. How long can she be away from the nest? I could watch her this afternoon.

I would let her out---and try to catch, see about it tomorrow or the next time.

 

[lotsahens]

I did let her out - and the sneaky hen - she ran under my car and sat down. After about 5 minutes, while the rest of the flock scattered, she "ran" into my horse barn and disappeared. Her nest is behind some stored boxes, horsey stuff piled against the wall, and garden tools also against the wall. So, tonight I will close all the barn doors and use a flashlight to find her. Actually, the barn is next to the house, so I probably will just leave her there and make sure there is food and water in the barn and wait and see if any peeps come out later on. At least I found that the hawk didn't get her. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I did let her out - and the sneaky hen - she ran under my car and sat down. After about 5 minutes, while the rest of the flock scattered, she "ran" into my horse barn and disappeared. Her nest is behind some stored boxes, horsey stuff piled against the wall, and garden tools also against the wall. So, tonight I will close all the barn doors and use a flashlight to find her. Actually, the barn is next to the house, so I probably will just leave her there and make sure there is food and water in the barn and wait and see if any peeps come out later on. At least I found that the hawk didn't get her. Thanks again for all your help.

That sounds like a good plan. GC