Hen laying in eggs has abandoned nest!

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tlruffhouse

tlruffhouse

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Our hen was laying on 30 eggs in an obscure spot in our barn... Everything I read said to leave her if possible. So we made it a little easier to access to keep an eye in her. It's been about a week, yesterday I found an egg shell about 5ft from her nest, so I went back to count eggs later the next day, when she got up and there are only about 20. Last night after all were settled in the coop... We saw her from our window... Come out and circling the coop, so my hubby went and let her in. After examining the nest... There were 3 more eggshells near the coop. So I am assuming that a predator of sorts has scared her away from the nest. We gathered the eggs and put them in the own crate in the coop... Stuck her on it. But i don't think she cares anymore... Any suggestions?
 
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Welcome to BYC!

Yes, sounds like predators. She will not go back to that nest after being scared off. However if she continues to be broody, you could set her up in the coop. She may continue there. If not, you can put the eggs under another broody or use an incubator.

Sorry about this incident. But we do welcome you to BYC!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! There are several nice articles in the Learning Center on using broody hens https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks Just because a hen is laying eggs in a nest does not mean she will go broody any time soon (most hens like to hide nests and some breeds/hens never go broody). Once you get the predator problem under control, or move the hen to the coop? If you find her next nest you are probably best off to put a few fake eggs in the nest and collect her eggs until you have as many as you want her to sit on (usually about two weeks worth since the hatch% goes down the older the eggs are) just keep collecting them and replacing the oldest eggs with the newest. When she starts to set, give her a couple of days to be sure she has committed then give her back her eggs.
 

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