First time broody hen, need advise

[lazy gardener]

Orp has single comb. Wyandotte has a rose comb. I doubt very much that you will catch your rat with a trap, unless he's a moron as rats go. I've set traps of all kinds. They take the bait and laugh in my general direction.

 

[Fowl Mama]

Take a deep breath... Mama hen will take care of it all ( most of it )

Lucky you... you have a hen that actually wants to sit... lol ( mine literally NEVER do )
In the last week they will not get off the eggs nearly as much... this is normal. Just make sure she has enough food and water.
If I were you, I would move the hens and eggs at night ( so she doesn't terrorize you ) into a safe place where they can't plummet to there death. This way other chickens can't get into the chicks either. Make sure the run in closed off from the other birds, and place feeders and waters, and a hospitable place for chicks to live and thrive.

From here, just overlook mama hen, and make sure everything is going well. She will know how to take care of them... it's in their nature!

Hope this helps!

Good luck, don't forget to post lots of pictures, we'd love to see them!

This was very helpful!

 

[aizarra]

She's a wyandotte then. We've had rats before and we're able to get them with a trap. They do get away sometimes though.

 

[lazy gardener]

Wish my rats were that stupid.

 

[bobbi-j]

I would not put food and water next to her nest. She needs to be able to get up to eat, drink and poop. With the food and water right there, she may not leave the nest at all and defecate on the eggs. This could kill the eggs. Hens lose condition when they're setting - especially if you've got her setting for another 3 weeks. She needs to get up to keep from losing too much muscle. Just because you don't see her do it, doesn't mean she's not getting up. (Unless you're watching every minute of every day, but I don't know if you have time for that.) Broody hens like to think they're being secretive about getting up, so she probably won't get off the nest if you're obviously watching her.

If she's in with the main flock, I would strongly suggest you mark the eggs she's setting on so you know which are hers. (I draw a circle around mine so I can tell at a quick glance) You should check under her daily to make sure there are no new additions from the other hens. Yes, I know she pecks - mine do, too. Wear heavy gloves and a sweatshirt.

 

[aizarra]

Thanks for the info. You're probably right that she's getting up at some point for food and water. The food is inside the coop in an automatic feeder. The water is outside. I'll be sure to check the eggs and mark them. I didn't think of that.