First experience with Broody Hen

[Nightmare619]

I'm a nervous wreck. I have a Bantam who is Broody and is setting on what started as 4 eggs, then 8, and more today. I think my other hens are laying their eggs in her nest box or shes gathering them? I planned on just letting mother nature take its course but now I dont know if it's better to chance moving her nest. Augh...to many decisions to be made. Did I mention I have 14 eggs in the incubator for my great nephews science project. I candled them tonight and they are all fertile. Had I waited 1 week Sammy could have done the work for me. Looks like were both gonna be busy.

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! It's best to isolate the broody hen and her clutch, to protect her and have successful hatching with fewest losses.
Usually, not always, it's possible to move her at night to a big dog crate in the coop, or at least fence her away from her flockmates. Tiny chicks can get through chicken wire, and some of the bigger openings in dog crate doors, so be careful there.
Enjoy!
Mary

 

[muddy75]

i just had my first silkie go broody. the second day I carefully reached under her and removed all extra eggs I could find. I marked 4 eggs with the date that I let her keep. Today I happened to catch her off her nest to eat/drink and I was able to remove unmarked eggs she had added and any I had missed originally.

 

[aart]

I'm a nervous wreck. I have a Bantam who is Broody and is setting on what started as 4 eggs, then 8, and more today. I think my other hens are laying their eggs in her nest box or shes gathering them? I planned on just letting mother nature take its course but now I dont know if it's better to chance moving her nest. Augh...to many decisions to be made. Did I mention I have 14 eggs in the incubator for my great nephews science project. I candled them tonight and they are all fertile. Had I waited 1 week Sammy could have done the work for me. Looks like were both gonna be busy.

You could remove all eggs from under broody, replace with a few fake ones, then give her the incubator chicks when they hatch.
At least mark some eggs under broody and remove any others daily.
No need to wait until she's off the nest,
just reach under and get the unmarked ones,
might be best to do it at night with a dim headlight.