first hen to go broody,questions/

[snowflake]

Our year old Orp. has gone broody, she has been sitting for 2 days now,I haven't looked under her so I don't know how many eggs she is sitting on. My question is, do I need to put her in a separate place? the nest box is in what was going to be the storage area of the coop, but the hens seemed to like that area better than the mane area. I will need to set up an area elsewhere. We have 2 nice large chick tractors that I planned to use but of course they are full of 4week old chicks right know, 11 meat birds in one and 26assorted baby hens. how long can I wait before I move her?

 

[shelleyd2008]

You don't have to move her, but if there are problems with the other hens trying to lay in her nest, you might want to close off her area so the others can't get in there. You can mark the eggs she's on, but with 'big' hens, you risk having the eggs break when they are fighting over the nest.

 

[MareeZoCool]

When my BA hen went broody, she was the only hen in my coop. I noticed her growling and acting over-protective , not allowing her roo near her or the nest. I sectioned off the coop. she hatched out 3 chicks!(April 22-24)Still living in her private "room" with her brood. I have added 2 hens to share the other 1/2 of the coop with my VERY happy roo. Mom has adjusted slowly to the new hens,after initial pecking order being established.I'll wait 'till the chicks are a month old to open the coop to all the flock.

 

[snowflake]

Thank you for the advice on whether to move or not to move my little Orp. she does not seem to be having any trouble withe Roos or other hens. How ever I think I will try to fence an area in the nest area for her as the other hens seem to be laying in her nest. I will try to mark them to night and fence her area off.
Thanks again,M.E.