hen won't get off her eggs

[soggy]

Been looking to make my own incubator and in the process I've come to realise one of my hens is already got a start on sitting on a bunch of eggs. Really not sure if should leave the hen and the eggs in the coop or move them to there own area. There is currently 10 hen's and 1 rooster in a large coop and they run free during the day and come and go as they please. The hen is about week 2 into this and I'm a little confused as to what to do after reading conflicting ideas online any help or idea would be appreciated. I'm very new to chickens as this is my first flock

 

[Ridgerunner]

The reason you get conflicting information is that different ways work, but some people are convinced their way is the best way and think the other way is awful. The simple answer is you can do it either way. There are different advantages and different risks to each of them.

If you want her to hatch eggs, you can move her to her own enclosed space. Lock her in an area with a nest, food and water, and enough room to go poop. Get the area set up then move her at night.

I don’t know what your situation is with eggs. Is she sitting on the eggs you want to hatch? It’s important all the eggs are started at the same time. If you want her to hatch those eggs, move them with her. She might or might not accept the move. That’s one risk of moving her. Or you can use those eggs when you move her to help her accept the new nest, but collect all the eggs you want her to hatch and start those when you see she has accepted the move, discarding the other eggs.

Or you can let her hatch with the flock in that nest. Again, it is important all the eggs start at the same time. Either mark her eggs or collect all you want her to hatch and mark them, then start them at the same time. Then every day after the other hens have laid, look under that hen and remove any eggs that don’t belong. As long as you collect them every day, they are still good to use. I just put a couple of circles on mine with a black Sharpie.

When the eggs start to hatch, leave her alone. When she decides the hatch is over, she will lead her chicks off the nest and take them to get something to eat and drink. The hen will take care of everything, including protecting her babies.

 

[soggy]

That's probably the best advice I've read. My only concern about the existing eggs she's laying on is that I have no idea how old the eggs are or if I should put a fresh batch under her and start again. Or just leave things as they are and hope for the best. I don't really want to wear her out making her start again. She's probably a week into sitting on the existing eggs.

 

[handyman42]

I have a hen that's setting now and they're basically gonna set there until A) something hatches or B) they get tired of it and loose the "fever". Typically it's fine to gather a clutch of eggs you want her to hatch and then "steal" her eggs and replace them with the eggs you want her to hatch. Even at a week in she should do fine.But Ridgerunner is right you should make any moves or changes at night. Things typically go better that way. And I might add use as little light as possible when moving at night so's not to disturb any more than necessary. Good Luck!!