First broody ?

[crooked stripe]

I have this Mille Fleur that is around 32 weeks that went broody. I have decided to let her do her thing but a couple questions. There are none of her eggs she is sitting on and as the other hens lay in her nest box when will she stop letting this happen? I have marked the 4 eggs in there. Is this normal, please help with some info, John

 

[gimmie birdies]

the other hens will still lay in there. just leave her marked ones and TAKE OUT THE REST! sorry I shouted at you. It is important because if you let too many hens lay and have too many eggs not all will hatch and it will just get gross. I don't like to move a broody. If she has a place to set and other hens have access it is okay, just be ready on hatch day to move her then. what I do on hatch day, is take out the ones that hatch and raise them in a cardboard box for a day, so other hens don't eat them, and it gives the others a chance to hatch., make sure they eat and drink. let mom hatch the rest, you can slip her an egg or two to keep her sitting. when they are all hatched put her in a separate pen till the chicks can fend for themselves against, hens,crows, cats and what not. atleast 6 weeks.

 

[crooked stripe]

I figured she would put a stop to that. I didn't think a hen hatching and raising a family would put up with other chickens in and out of the nest box. Now I have to come up with something for housing for them. . I

 

[gimmie birdies]

only if you want the babies to survive after they hatch. I didn't build a separate pen but my hutch I sectioned off areas. the far under the roof I boxed in an area 10' x5' and the mom is in there separate with the babies.

here is a smaller broody box, moms don't like the smaller ones but it can be for temp when they are real little this one is 4'x2'