First Broody Hen

[Sarahpjennings]

We have our first broody hen. She is currently sitting on about 15 eggs!!

I have some questions on best practices.
I’m planning to candle the eggs so I can take away those that are least developed.
The problem is she’s in the coop with multiple laying hens and she will get the new eggs and sit on those too. Should I move her to a separate pen with the most developed eggs?

Also would it be ok to keep a rooster in with her so she’s not lonely?
We’re losing all the eggs in that coop because we aren’t sure which are partly developed. I cracked a few that had rolled away from her and they were about a week along

I’d prefer to stay away from incubating as she seems quite proud of her job and I hate to take it away from her.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[DemeterAD9]

You need to mark all the eggs you want her to sit on and check daily to remove any that are not marked. If you have a nest full of eggs that started at different days then she will ultimately leave the nest with the chicks that hatched within the first few days and leave any partially developed eggs. I would start by candling all the eggs she has now and let her sit on any that are developing, be sure to mark them well with a marker or pencil on both sides.

If you do not want to check under her daily then you should section off an area for her by herself. She does not want nor need any company while brooding, just make sure she has food and water she can get to.