First time with a bantam wyandotte nest

[EverythingZen]

I’m in Australia and we’re heading into winter. Night temps are about 14 ish Celsius and my chooks are locked in a coop at night which has nest boxes - but they are apparently not good enough!
My little Sylvia has built her first nest but it’s in the garden under a very well protected banana plant (it took us literally days to find her and the nest lol). She’s sitting on it most of the time, just coming off once or twice a day for food and such. It’s been about 4 days now. Is it better to move her and the nest into the coop, or leave her where they are? I don’t want to interfere, but I want them to have the best chance.
How long do they sit for? I’m not sure how long the mild nights will last. The weather here is permanently set to summer, but a cold change can happen any time.

 

[Ribh]

I’m in Australia and we’re heading into winter. Night temps are about 14 ish Celsius and my chooks are locked in a coop at night which has nest boxes - but they are apparently not good enough!
My little Sylvia has built her first nest but it’s in the garden under a very well protected banana plant (it took us literally days to find her and the nest lol). She’s sitting on it most of the time, just coming off once or twice a day for food and such. It’s been about 4 days now. Is it better to move her and the nest into the coop, or leave her where they are? I don’t want to interfere, but I want them to have the best chance.
How long do they sit for? I’m not sure how long the mild nights will last. The weather here is permanently set to summer, but a cold change can happen any time.

WELCOME TO BYC.
21 days till hatching ~ if the eggs are fertile. Whereabouts generally are you. I'm up Brissie way & our nights are still pretty mild. The cooler weather has stopped any of mine from going broody. They are molting instead. What sort of predator problems do you have? A broody hen is an easy target.​

 

[EverythingZen]

Thanks heaps. I’m down Sydney way, but west.
Predators here are foxes and just lately a bunch of pied currawongs have taken up hanging about the place. My area is a mix of bush and rural so I’m not sure what the birds are hunting for. I’m hoping there’s enough berries and vegetation for them so they leave my flocks alone, but I’ve got free ranging Muscovy ducklings so I dunno.

 

[Ribh]

Thanks heaps. I’m down Sydney way, but west.
Predators here are foxes and just lately a bunch of pied currawongs have taken up hanging about the place. My area is a mix of bush and rural so I’m not sure what the birds are hunting for. I’m hoping there’s enough berries and vegetation for them so they leave my flocks alone, but I’ve got free ranging Muscovy ducklings so I dunno.

ok I'm an ex~Sydney girl. From down Cronulla way, so I sorta know what you're dealing with. You really need to secure your girl. They go into a broody trance & aren't too aware of anything else. I lost one of my BRs last summer. I was away & she went broody on DH & he couldn't find her. She dehydrated. She is a really easy target for a fox so I would move her into a fox proof pen or special broody box. Make sure she eats, poops & drinks each day. You can get her off the nest & make her. She will return to the nest.
@Butterscotchbitesfinger is out your way & has had fox issues so better to secure your girls before an incident than after one.

 

[Ribh]

I also just checked on your currawongs because I have seen maggies, currawongs & Butcher Birds take eggs. The currawongs will occasionally hunt in packs & take small birds up to the size of a young possum. Are your girls free ranging or do you have a covered run for them? There are heaps of good threads on here on the best ways to predator proof your run.

 

[EverythingZen]

Thanks so much for your help. I think I will move her tonight into the coop. She’s pretty placid, so it’s hard to tell if she’s in a broody trance haha. I just hope she stays with the nest when they are all let out in the morning.

 

[Ribh]

Can you move her nest & eggs with her?

 

[EverythingZen]

Wow, she’s cranky at me now! I moved as much of the nest as I could and just built it back up for her. She’s sulking on the shelf above the boxes. I hope she goes back to it soon. Wish us luck!

 

[EverythingZen]

Can you move her nest & eggs with her?

Yep that’s what we just did. Sun is about gone now so it was now or never lol. She’s never been so cranky! Poor little mumma doesn’t understand what all the sudden fuss was about.

 

[Ribh]

Broodys are often cranky. She'll get over it. Glad she's safe.