How to get other hens to leave broody alone?

[JanineB]

Hi all!
This is the 5th time I have tried to hatch under a broody. All of my attempts have been unsuccessful as the other hens will not leave my poor lil broody speckled sussex to her business. The eggs are getting stepped on, crapped on, or broken, and I'm at my wits end, as is my broody. I have tried isolating her, but she gets flustered by the change and won't set. And I have heard they do better when they are kept among the flock, and that appears to be my only option anyway. Whichever box she is in is suddenly the "coveted" nesting box, and the other girls kick her off of her eggs (and poop/step all over them in the process). What am i doing wrong here? This seems like it should be a fairly simple way of hatching, but I can't seem to find a way to make it work! Is my flock just a bunch of jerks or what?! Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

 

[bobbi-j]

Have you tried moving her at night? That sometimes works. I have also had broodies like yours that, no matter what time of day or night, have insisted on going back to their original nest. Is there any way you can block off that one particular nest box, yet still make it so she can get off the nest to eat, drink, and stretch her legs? Not seeing your setup, it's hard to give suggestions.

 

[JanineB]

I've just put up a partition in between her box and the others... she can still get in/out, and im not sure the others will be too bothered about trying to get in there. At least thats what I'm hoping haha! So far so good, she's been left to do her thing for three days now, so maybe this is the way to do it! Another side question: do I need to be candling the eggs? How often? Thanks for your help!

 

[bobbi-j]

I've just put up a partition in between her box and the others... she can still get in/out, and im not sure the others will be too bothered about trying to get in there. At least thats what I'm hoping haha! So far so good, she's been left to do her thing for three days now, so maybe this is the way to do it! Another side question: do I need to be candling the eggs? How often? Thanks for your help!

I don't candle my broody's eggs. I prefer not to mess with a broody on her nest - just let her do her thing. You can candle if you wish, but I wouldn't do it more than once a week if that, even.