Couple Questions about my broody

[Tre3hugger]

So my silver penciled rock(I think) has really committed. I have not seen her leave the nest AT ALL for two whole days, this is the third. So here are a couple questions I have.

1.Her box is about 3 ft from the coop floor bedding. Other hens seem to be trying to use the nest. Should I move her? How and when? Will this make reintegration difficult? I have an unused rabbit hutch I could put her in if that would be good.

2. If she hatches any chicks, will they be safe with her and all the other birds(8 hens and a roo)? I have a brooder if I need it. What preparations should I be making, for her and myself?

3.At what point, if any, should I worry she's not taking care of herself? Is it likely she has left it a couple times and i just haven't seen her? Ias this a baseless worry, she has it covered(pun intended lol).

I really appreciate any answers any of you could give me. Thanks for reading!

 

[aart]

When I have a broody 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.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Thanks @aart . If i make her a fllor nest in my run seperated from the flock by wire, can it just be link an over turned tote with a rock on top for weight? Or something equally rudimentary? Just needs to feel safe for her and keep out the elements right?

 

[Tre3hugger]

Here is a gratuitous pic of the hen in question.

 

[aart]

Thanks @aart . If i make her a fllor nest in my run seperated from the flock by wire, can it just be link an over turned tote with a rock on top for weight? Or something equally rudimentary? Just needs to feel safe for her and keep out the elements right?

...and any predators.

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on the nest and your set up and space. What works for me, may or may not work for her. In a previous post, AArt makes the very good suggestion, move her, and get her settled, wait and see for sure, then add eggs.

I will tell you, I tried to move mine twice before I gave it up. Mine always returned to the nest they liked best. I have single bird nests. So I just leave them to do it their way. Every three days or so, I do carefully lift her off, checking for eggs under her wings with a towel over her head, as mine are always willing to take an arm off at the elbow. This way I make sure she gets out, has food, terrorizes the layers, and gets a dust bath. This keeps her way up in the pecking order of the flock.

I do mark my eggs with a sharpie and I do find other eggs in the nest occasionally. I think the layers wait till she takes her daily constitutional and then sneak in there quick. I have had broods get back on the wrong nest, but surprisingly this has little effect. I just mover her back and have had good hatches even when the tops of the eggs felt cool to my touch. I came on here in a panic, and that is what they said to do, and they hatched right on time. The chicks themselves in the eggs do produce some heat.

Nothing is more fun than a hen with chicks, and of course, if you have your heart on some breed now is the time to order their arrival at the time of hatching and have her raise the works.

Hatching this way - you can loose some chicks, but the ones that make it are strong and healthy.

Mrs K

 

[Tre3hugger]

atching this way - you can loose some chicks, but the ones that make it are strong and healthy.

Thank you very much Mrs. K for sharing your experience.

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree with others. I want my broody in a spot I want her to be broody. I like a nest box on the floor. I have kept her in the coop with others and just set up a partition of some sort so that when hatch day comes I don’t have to worry about other birds interfering or worry about a chick wandering off while awaiting the rest to hatch. Once hatch happens I give the broody and babes their own food and water inside the partition so they don’t have to go far and don’t have to worry about other birds guarding/bullying around the feeder. I like to wait until the hen is broody a full week before deciding to either break her or give her eggs.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Thank you for the suggestions. What if she is alreadyon a batch of eggs is like her to hatch. If she's been on them three days are they still edible for humans?

 

[aart]

If she's been on them three days are they still edible for humans?

I wouldn't eat them...if fertile they have probably already started to develop.