Hi live in Kentucky .. Need help!

[Franticmomma59]

Hi all need help with a wild Brooding momma hen...
She's a Gamer hen, do I need to say more..
She made her nest between our shed and a large water collector that"s laying down on it's side in the dirt , she's behind it..
she laided 16 eggs now we have 9 left,
the other gamer hen goes back there and they kinda fight.. ( we free range and lock up at nite )
If she comes out she is CRAZED!!! No one is safe !!!
well she came out, I hurried to see if any chicks are born, and found broken egg with baby inside..
it was alive for a bit, but as I picked up, Don't know if she/or another hen poked it..
How do I move the eggs to a safer place?? protect her from the other gamer..?
Help please.. this is my first time seeing baby chicks being hatched..
Remember, She is a CRAZED MOMMA!!

Thanks for any help...
Franticmomma

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Prepare a place indoors so it's predator proof. A caged in space with enough room for feed and water and a little roaming.
Then put your big girl pants on - and maybe some gloves - pick her up, confine her, move the eggs to the new nest and put her in with them.
It's easier at night.

 

[Franticmomma59]

Thank you for such quick advice, that's what I have been reading.
I do have a caged in area on other side of shed..we raised ducks in there
Plenty of room, so how late should I do this? She'll flock the heck out of me I'm sure..
Gamers are great flyers, what happens if she runs away??

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens are night blind so wait till dark and work fast.
I usually use a flashlight to see where and how she's sitting, orient myself, turn the light out, be real quiet and grab her so she can't flap about.

 

[Franticmomma59]

I'm doing this by myself
can I put towel over her? move her first then eggs?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Probably. I usually put them in a cage and set the nest up with eggs and make it seem just like the last nest so they're comfortable.
If you move her first, you might be able to slip the eggs under her. It depends on if she squats or runs around frantically trying to get back to the other nest.

 

[Franticmomma59]

Thank you so very, very much chickencanoe for all your help..
I will set up area now put box in there... some straw and hope for the best!
will let you know how it worked out..

Franticmomma59

 

[drumstick diva]

hope your hen settled well in her new location

 

[Franticmomma59]

Drumstick Diva.. I didn't do it yet..
pouring rain here.. maybe tomorrow nite but thanks for the well wishes..
Are all hens this CRAZY?? when brooding

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Pleased you joined us! I'm dealing with that myself right now - had 3 hens go broody at the same time. Time to open up the broody buster pen! Good luck to you!