Hello!

[Gottacrowe]

I’m a new chicken mom and have a question about my flock. My broody hen is bottom of pecking order and sitting on fertile eggs. The other ladies are laying on top of her! Is this normal?

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I don’t know about broody hens but, we are super pumped for you to be here!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome! We are glad you joined our flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
Is the broody using the only nesting box?
Or are there other nesting boxes for them to use?
Maybe you need to move her to an area where others won't bother her so she stays on the eggs?

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops

BYC has an APP!

 

[Gottacrowe]

So...my girls are super spoiled. I have 5 hens and 3 coops. The newest and largest has lots of coop room, 3 nest boxes and my 3 newest layers were using all 3. Then....the bottom of pecking order got broody so I bought eggs of breeds I wanted next. She’s a great moms but my 2 other girls lay on top of her and the older two from another coop go in and do the same!

 

[ronott1]

It is great to have you here!

Is she setting on fertile eggs? If not, I would break her from being broody. I move them to the garage and a wire bottom cage. One hen had to be broken three times a year.

If they do not hatch out chicks, they can go brooder for months and will sometimes die. Sitting on eggs for more than 21 days is bad for them

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Is the broody using the only nesting box?
Or are there other nesting boxes for them to use?
Maybe you need to move her to an area where others won't bother her so she stays on the eggs?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Welcome..

 

[Joeschooks]

There’s so many helpful, knowledgeable folks here and I’m sure you’ll find this site a very useful resource. I hope you enjoy it as much as we all do.

 

[Gottacrowe]

View attachment 1371499
It is great to have you here!

Is she setting on fertile eggs? If not, I would break her from being broody. I move them to the garage and a wire bottom cage. One hen had to be broken three times a year.

If they do not hatch out chicks, they can go brooder for months and will sometimes die. Sitting on eggs for more than 21 days is bad for them

Yes, sitting on fertile adoptive eggs

 

[Gottacrowe]

Yes, sitting on fertile adoptive eggs

They will hatch in 5 days