We had a raccoon disaster this week and I am down to One laying hen. She must be lonely, but I'm worried about introducing new hens to the coop, in case of pecking problems. What if I introduced some fertile eggs instead? Would she decide to sit on them? Seems to me she could hatch her own new flock.... Any advice out there?
Unless she is already broody she isn't going to sit on them. Sorry, but that doesn't work. Don't put chicks in thinking she will mother them. More often then not she will kill them. I don't know how many birds you normally keep, but I would put 1-3 pullets in with her. Not full grown about 12 weeks old. Old enough that they can take her hazing, but young enough that they will see her as the leader and not gang up on her. Hope that helps. Good luck and sorry about the loss of your other birds. Also have you fixed your setup so that the raccoon cannot get in again?
A hen that's recently survived an attack would be highly unlikely to go broody right now, even if she were a proven momma. It's spring and chicks are everywhere, I'd say just buy some sexed Pullets and start over.
