If I take a broody hen out to sit on eggs, will she get kicked out of the flock?

[Erin80]

My black silkie is broody once again. This time I actually have incubated eggs, so I could put a couple under her....but I’d remove her from the coop and have her in a brooder box for that. Will the other hens pick on her when I return her?

 

[HENS-and-MARES]

Depends on the birds. I’ve been slowly bringing my broody girl back into her flock with her chicks. So far so good.
The other girls might challenge her to decide her new spot in the pecking order, but other than that they seem to except her return.

 

[Gallinarium]

Sometimes they'll accept her without question, but she usually has to work her way back up.
To avoid this, you can let her visit with them fifteen minutes daily to let her maintain what she's built up over in politics. As a plus, you can candle the eggs if you want during this time.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you keep her separate the whole time, and then wait until the chicks are 4-6 weeks, it is rather a wreck. She is a stranger to the flock, she is starting to wean the chicks, and all of a sudden is fighting for her position in the flock. Chicks are on their own hook, and the whole thing is a wreck.

The broody hormones, generally up the broody hens position in the flock. So mixing her in the flock is good for the future reception of the chicks by the flock. I leave mine in the nest of her choosing, and for the most part, she is in a trance while there. Every three days, I get her off and out she stomps to terrorize the layers. Now I am sure she gets down herself every day or so, but I like to sneak a peak at the eggs and make sure they are the right eggs.

Then when she hatches, she eventually brings out the chicks to the flock. They are already giving her a wide berth, and while they think she has some strange life forms following her, they tend to keep their distance. Generally a chick does get too close, gets a peck and screams - which turns the broody into this giant tornado puff ball,... and well everyone toes the line.

My broody hen, tends to stay on the edge of the flock with her chicks. Works a treat.

Good luck

 

[aart]

My black silkie is broody once again. This time I actually have incubated eggs, so I could put a couple under her....but I’d remove her from the coop and have her in a brooder box for that. Will the other hens pick on her when I return her?

Meaning they are in an incubator....or do you mean fertile eggs?

 

[aart]

When I have a broody I wait until she's been in the nest most the day and all night for 2-3 days...along with those other signs I posted.

Then I put her in the broody enclosure with fake eggs in the floor nest, she won't like being moved, but if she is truly good and broody she will settle onto the new nest within a half a day.
Then I give her fresh fertile eggs and mark the calendar.

I like them separated by wire from the flock, it's just easier all around.
No having to mark eggs and remove any additions daily, no taking up a laying nest, no going back to the wrong nest after the daily constitutional.


I remove barrier about one week after hatch. The chicks are usually safe it's the broody who has to 'fight' her way back into the pecking order...which can be quick or take a few days.
Lots of space helps for re-integration.

 

[Erin80]

Meaning they are in an incubator....or do you mean fertile eggs?

Yes. Day 3 in incubator today.