First time hen sitter

[Wattflock]

Hello!!
I have my first hen that is wanting to sit on eggs!! She started sitting on 4-18-2020 and I’ve only noticed that she gets up to eat and drink when I am around, I think it’s due to the roosters wanting to mate. My question is she seems stressed out as she got up to eat as I cleaned the coop out and another hen went to sit on the eggs and wouldn’t move. She was then walking around the coop by the nest making a weird sound. I try to not intervene and left. Should I have moved the other hen?? Or will they figure it out! Also the nest she chose is high off the ground?? Will the baby chicks be okay or should I move them lower for her? Picture of my beautiful hen nesting away! Her name is Jewels bc she loves anything shiny!

 

[MROO]

The other hen was probably laying an egg in Jewels' nest. You may want to move your broody - nest and all - to a safer spot. Is there room in the coop for a wire dog kennel/crate, so she can stay close, but not mingle with the flock?

 

[Wattflock]

The other hen was probably laying an egg in Jewels' nest. You may want to move your broody - nest and all - to a safer spot. Is there room in the coop for a wire dog kennel/crate, so she can stay close, but not mingle with the flock?

Yes we have two water things as well so I could have separate water and food as well! How many eggs will they sit on at a time? I tried to count and I got 14 today

 

[MROO]

Yes we have two water things as well so I could have separate water and food as well! How many eggs will they sit on at a time? I tried to count and I got 14 today

Since she started setting back on the 18th, keep her at the fourteen. Some of them were likely added by other hens once Jewel started setting - like the hen this morning. Once you move her, the other hens can have their "favorite" nest box back and you won't have any more late additions to the nest. Those can be heartbreakers, because Mom will leave the nest once the hatched babies start moving around to feed. That leaves live babies who are not yet fully developed left to die in the shell. The best time to move the nest is when the broody hen (Mama) gets up to do her business. Then you can move the entire set-up, nest and all, to the kennel. If you can move the nest box, all the better. That way you don't have to disturb the nest. Make sure Jewel has food and water, and be sure to clean out any massive "broody poops" you see. You can't miss 'em. When she only goes once a day, it's an impressive pile!

 

[Wattflock]

Since she started setting back on the 18th, keep her at the fourteen. Some of them were likely added by other hens once Jewel started setting - like the hen this morning. Once you move her, the other hens can have their "favorite" nest box back and you won't have any more late additions to the nest. Those can be heartbreakers, because Mom will leave the nest once the hatched babies start moving around to feed. That leaves live babies who are not yet fully developed left to die in the shell. The best time to move the nest is when the broody hen (Mama) gets up to do her business. Then you can move the entire set-up, nest and all, to the kennel. If you can move the nest box, all the better. That way you don't have to disturb the nest. Make sure Jewel has food and water, and be sure to clean out any massive "broody poops" you see. You can't miss 'em. When she only goes once a day, it's an impressive pile!

Okay thank you!