Hen has a nest in the bushes - will the eggs be fine?

[Johnchickens2]

One of my hens has a clucth of eggs and recently became broody. Her nest is ouside the coop, near a bush in the shade. The nest is actually like a hole in the ground with some dry leaves and dry grass. The eggs are on the sand/dust. Is it ok ? Won't the humidity be affected because of the sand? The sand is dry. No direct sun.

 

[Shadrach]

One of my hens has a clucth of eggs and recently became broody. Her nest is ouside the coop, near a bush in the shade. The nest is actually like a hole in the ground with some dry leaves and dry grass. The eggs are on the sand/dust. Is it ok ? Won't the humidity be affected because of the sand? The sand is dry. No direct sun.

The first concern is is she safe from predators at her nest site?
Nests should be a holes/hollows in the ground. Having the eggs in the hole/hollow allows the hen to control the egg better than on a flat surface.
The hen should be able to control the humidity even on dry sand.

 

[Johnchickens2]

The first concern is is she safe from predators at her nest site?
Nests should be a holes/hollows in the ground. Having the eggs in the hole/hollow allows the hen to control the egg better than on a flat surface.
The hen should be able to control the humidity even on dry sand.

Yes - perfectly safe...
Thank you for your answer, so, there is no need to line the surface with any nest materials?

 

[Shadrach]

Yes - perfectly safe...
Thank you for your answer, so, there is no need to line the surface with any nest materials?

No there isn't. She'll only scrape it out again.
What you can do...
If the weather is very warm and dry you can lightly mist her with a plant mister.
You can make sure she gets off the nest every day to eat, drink and poop. This is really important. Most hens do this without any encouragement but some will just sit tight, loose weight and general condition.

Provide extra food for her away from the nest and a small bowl of water at the nest site if you wish.

If you do have to lift her from her nest in order to make sure she eats and bathes you must make sure she wakes up fully from her broody trance. If when you move her to where you've provided food she sinks back down into her broody crouch, she isn't properly awake. You need to see her standing and preferably walking.

Don't disturb her eggs!

 

[Shadrach]

This article may be helpful.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-make-a-sitting-hens-job-so-difficult.74389/

 

[Coops Dad]

The only problem I've had with ground nests is fire ants attacking the mom while setting. Other than that, several successful hatches.

 

[Johnchickens2]

The only problem I've had with ground nests is fire ants attacking the mom while setting. Other than that, several successful hatches.

Thanks, well there are some black tiny ants walking along the nest but it looks like they only collect food and don't attack ....

 

[Johnchickens2]

No there isn't. She'll only scrape it out again.
What you can do...
If the weather is very warm and dry you can lightly mist her with a plant mister.
You can make sure she gets off the nest every day to eat, drink and poop. This is really important. Most hens do this without any encouragement but some will just sit tight, loose weight and general condition.

Provide extra food for her away from the nest and a small bowl of water at the nest site if you wish.

If you do have to lift her from her nest in order to make sure she eats and bathes you must make sure she wakes up fully from her broody trance. If when you move her to where you've provided food she sinks back down into her broody crouch, she isn't properly awake. You need to see her standing and preferably walking.

Don't disturb her eggs!

Thank you! I have picked the eggs in order to mark them with a pencil (the date) , is it a problem? Relating to what you said about not to didturb eggs.....

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

The only problem I've had with ground nests is fire ants attacking the mom while setting. Other than that, several successful hatches.

Thanks, well there are some black tiny ants walking along the nest but it looks like they only collect food and don't attack ....

I've had ant problems too. Once had ants attack and kill a chick as it was hatching. The ants were swarming all over mom too; she had slightly lifted herself up off the eggs, but was doing her best to keep them covered. Since that happened, I religiously dust broody nest boxes with a very light dusting of poultry dust. Also lessens chances of mites overwhelming a broody and then the chicks when they hatch.

You verified she is safe from predators, but does that include snakes? I've had large rat snakes eat up to 4 developing eggs at one time right out from underneath a broody.

 

[Oob Child]

Good luck with your chicks. Hope it works ok