First time with hen sitting

[Wattflock]

Okay so one of my hens has been sitting on eggs for around 18-19 days. She has been acting very strange and will only let me in the coup or she freaks out! Today I went in and she went to eat so I candled an egg. I googled and it seems we are on track for babies but just wanted opinions of real chicken people! I have attached two photos these are two separate eggs. She is sitting on 12 I thought there were 13 a couple days ago and there is yolk all over in her nest like dried but no chick or blood. Could one have broke or did she get rid of a bad one? I am thinking about moving as she nested in a higher nester and I haven’t wanted to mess with the eggs. We have roosters as well so just worried. They stay away from her bc she like clucks at them.

 

[MGG]

Okay so one of my hens has been sitting on eggs for around 18-19 days. She has been acting very strange and will only let me in the coup or she freaks out! Today I went in and she went to eat so I candled an egg. I googled and it seems we are on track for babies but just wanted opinions of real chicken people! I have attached two photos these are two separate eggs. She is sitting on 12 I thought there were 13 a couple days ago and there is yolk all over in her nest like dried but no chick or blood. Could one have broke or did she get rid of a bad one? I am thinking about moving as she nested in a higher nester and I haven’t wanted to mess with the eggs. We have roosters as well so just worried. They stay away from her bc she like clucks at them.

They look good. She probably got rid of an infertile one. I wouldn't move her. She might abandon the eggs and then they would all die. How high is her nest?

 

[Wattflock]

They look good. She probably got rid of an infertile one. I wouldn't move her. She might abandon the eggs and then they would all die. How high is her nest?

The nester of course she picked the one that is about 4 feet off the ground. I didn’t know if she would abandon them that’s why I didn’t do it sooner. I’ve been so worried about upsetting her. I have been going out there multiple times a day but I also worry bc the roosters are very interested in the best as well.

 

[MGG]

The nester of course she picked the one that is about 4 feet off the ground. I didn’t know if she would abandon them that’s why I didn’t do it sooner. I’ve been so worried about upsetting her. I have been going out there multiple times a day but I also worry bc the roosters are very interested in the best as well.

Can you block the roosters out of the nest area? I'm not sure about the height, maybe @aart will have a solution for you.

 

[aart]

Could one have broke or did she get rid of a bad one?

Yep.
Not sure what to tell you, I move my broodies to a secure floor nest before I give them eggs.
Have read.....
....you can block the nest off so chicks don't fall out, then once all hatched move them to the floor.
....or pile big deep pile of shaving under nest so then they drop out less chance of being injured.

Pics of nest might help here.

 

[Wattflock]

Yep.
Not sure what to tell you, I move my broodies to a secure floor nest before I give them eggs.
Have read.....
....you can block the nest off so chicks don't fall out, then once all hatched move them to the floor.
....or pile big deep pile of shaving under nest so then they drop out less chance of being injured.

Pics of nest might help here.

Ya I know now for next time! I’ll build something up in there so she can get out but babies can’t! I’ll get a picture when I go back out!! I went and checked her this am and nothing cracking yet! I have an area sat up for after they come and I can move both mama and babies!

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

My broody buff orp chose her favorite high nest box to sit last summer. I made a make shift nursery on the floor of the coop as soon as the last chick hatched and it worked great. I think some hens will fiercely sit no matter where you move them, others get attached to THAT nest and may give up. I wouldn’t risk it

 

[Wattflock]

My broody buff orp chose her favorite high nest box to sit last summer. I made a make shift nursery on the floor of the coop as soon as the last chick hatched and it worked great. I think some hens will fiercely sit no matter where you move them, others get attached to THAT nest and may give up. I wouldn’t risk it

Yes this one has always laid in this neat and slept in it! Since we got her! I put up a little more of a barrier so babies won’t fall out and she can still get out! I just used duck tape she let me and stayed sitting so I think I am good! I will then move her after eggs hatch and babies which should be tomorrow I hope!

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

Yes this one has always laid in this neat and slept in it! Since we got her! I put up a little more of a barrier so babies won’t fall out and she can still get out! I just used duck tape she let me and stayed sitting so I think I am good! I will then move her after eggs hatch and babies which should be tomorrow I hope!

Yay! Post pics please . I’m really hoping mine goes broody again this summer

 

[Kakaruk]

Yes, I agree. Keep them in that nest for hatching. My batch, just a month ago, hatched over a two day period. I kept them in that nest for around 1-2 days but it was hard to keep them in because they were already jumping up etc. As you can see on my pic, I used a plastic dog kennel to keep Buffy and the five chicks in another smaller coop I had made last year. At first I would let Buffy out 1-2 a day and she would always want to go back in with them. Then after a week or so the chicks followed her out one time and it continued like that for about a week or more. Then after the third week or so, Buff just stopped going back with them and started roosting again with the adults. Now the chicks are on their own! In fact Buffy pecks them if they come near her. I think the make shift nursery in the bottom of the coop would work well too in a pinch like NorthernMI shared above. Since I had the extra little coop that what I used as my nursery. When the chicks go out now the adults don't bother them too much but I don't have a rooster. PS For hatching, I did try to take the shells out every few hours if Buffy would let me pick her up but it was a challenge. I didn't get all the shells out until the very end.