First time owners with broody hen

[Weehopper]

A lot of times a hen will stick tight on the nest for the first two or three days. I would not be too concerned if she doesn't come off for a few. Also, don't be alarmed when she does come off, and makes a lot of noise in the process. They do this because, in the wild, jungle fowl will start making a lot of noise when they are a little way away from the nest. They do this to lead any preditors who might be watching, away from the nest.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would just leave her where she wants to nest! She knows more about being a chicken than you or I ever will. Let her do it the way she wants.

I agree with AArt, let her go out and eat with the flock. It is good for them to be with the flock and establish a higher pecking order. Mine are nearly as high as the rooster. They are crabby and the rest of the flock will give her wide berth. This is when she will dust bath too, and that keeps parasites down. Gives her a bit of exercise, better for her body, and this is how nature intended it. By leaving her in the nest that she likes, she is more apt to return to that nest.

Every two or three days, I go down, using a towel, carefully lift her out of the nest. That is when I check for any stray eggs. As stated, when out for her walk, often times layers will sneak in and add to the clutch. I use a magic marker, as a pencil has worn off for me. My broody's have never stayed with the nest more that 12-18 hours. Then she has gotten down off the nest, clucked to her chicks to make the leap, and creates a clean fresh nest on the floor, where they will sleep in for several weeks. She will introduce them to the flock, and her is where her pecking order is so important, the layers will give her and the chicks a wide berth.

The chicks grow up in the flock. It is the best way to do this, good luck!

ps, if she does get on the wrong nest, and I have had it happened so long that the eggs were cold, but I came to this website in a panic, and was told "just move her back" and the chicks hatched right on time!

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I would just leave her where she wants to nest! She knows more about being a chicken than you or I ever will. Let her do it the way she wants.
.....

That is not always possible with some coop arrangements and/or management styles....
.......and the problems of moving them can make the next 3 weeks much easier for all involved.

 

[Mrs. K]

True, but I have had better luck moving the layers to new nests, than the broody hen. One does not have to move them, but conversely people have had successes with a moved bird. There are many ways to do this. And your set up, and your management style does come in to play.
My point is, though that chickens have been hatching eggs for centuries without us, and that you really don't have to move them.

I have had better luck when I just don't bother them, and let them do their thing. I bother the layers instead.

Mrs K

 

[layla93]

Thank you all for replying. I'm going to see how she is today and go from there. We may just try and leave her to nest where she is. We only have three other chickens and another three laying boxes so hopefully they won't disturb her. I will let you all know how we get on and if we end up with any chicks in the next few weeks!

 

[aart]

Thank you all for replying. I'm going to see how she is today and go from there. We may just try and leave her to nest where she is. We only have three other chickens and another three laying boxes so hopefully they won't disturb her. I will let you all know how we get on and if we end up with any chicks in the next few weeks!

Put some fake eggs in the other nests to entice the layers to use them.

Moving a broody is not so much for the birds benefit, it's for the keepers.
We manipulate the bird 'natural' inclinations so much anyway, moving a broody isn't much different....
... no harm is done if said manipulations are done with care and awareness of what keeps the bird healthy and caters in part to what their instincts deem necessary.

 

[layla93]

We have just left her where she was and made a ramp from the nest box down to the chick starter and the water. We have also enclosed this area so the other chickens cannot get in until they are a bit older. This morning out first chick hatched and another egg was peeping, exciting times! Do you think the ramp will be okay for the chicks to use, it is not very steep but it was the only thing we could think of as our broody wouldn't settle in a new place.

 

[aart]

We have just left her where she was and made a ramp from the nest box down to the chick starter and the water. We have also enclosed this area so the other chickens cannot get in until they are a bit older. This morning out first chick hatched and another egg was peeping, exciting times! Do you think the ramp will be okay for the chicks to use, it is not very steep but it was the only thing we could think of as our broody wouldn't settle in a new place.

She may take them down the ramp......or she and they may just jump down, so lots of bedding on floor under nest is a good idea for a softer landing.
She may take them back up the ramp..... or settle down on the floor with them.
A portable nest on the floor would be a good idea if possible, I built mine out of wood, but a small animal crate would work or a box or a....?.

 

[layla93]

Would you suggest moving her into the animal box completely and closing the door so her and the chick stay in there for the next few days?

 

[aart]

Would you suggest moving her into the animal box completely and closing the door so her and the chick stay in there for the next few days?

Eh...maybe.

Depends on her mothering/protection instinct and the reaction of the other birds.
Sure wouldn't hurt to have something like that ready if there's trouble.
You can never tell what will happen with live animals.

Depends also on how much time you have to monitor the situation.
I'm retired, and a homebody, so can keep a frequent eye on things and react quickly to adjust.