Is my almost hen broody? When will the eggs hatch?

[NatJ]

So it was about 2:00pm today and it was raining and so all the chickens stayed in the coop. Amelia was sitting on her eggs but then Hope had to lay. She kicked Amelia out. Amelia was really upset but settled in another nest when Hope finished I gave Amelia her eggs back she tucked them under her. I’m glad I marked them. I’m hoping that this was okay? Now that they are back with Amelia? It didn’t affect them for me to move them right? She’s fine now and still sitting on them.

That is probably fine, but not something you want to have happen every day.

I’m thinking of leaving her in the morning cause that’s when she gets up and blocking her off the rest of the day so Hope leaves her alone? Then removing it at night. Would this work?

That is a lot of moving back and forth. It probably makes more sense to just set it up and leave it in place.

do you think if i just fence her in the eggs will be ok?

Yes, I think that sounds like the best option.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

That is probably fine, but not something you want to have happen every day.


That is a lot of moving back and forth. It probably makes more sense to just set it up and leave it in place.


Yes, I think that sounds like the best option.

Put this around her! I was worried she was going to be stressed but she hardly blinked just sat there calmly. You can kinda see the food and water through the window. Not as much room as I would like but it’ll have to do. You don’t think the other chickens will jump on it and knock it over right?

 

[NatJ]

View attachment 3713816
Put this around her! I was worried she was going to be stressed but she hardly blinked just sat there calmly. You can kinda see the food and water through the window. Not as much room as I would like but it’ll have to do. You don’t think the other chickens will jump on it and knock it over right?

I do not know whether the other chickens will jump on it or not.

You will probably just have to keep an eye on the situation and see what happens. Some chickens seem determined to jump on everything, and see what they can do with it. Other chickens are happy to go do their usual activities and ignore a new thing as long as it leaves them alone.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I do not know whether the other chickens will jump on it or not.

You will probably just have to keep an eye on the situation and see what happens. Some chickens seem determined to jump on everything, and see what they can do with it. Other chickens are happy to go do their usual activities and ignore a new thing as long as it leaves them alone.

No one has jumped on it yet. I’m not sure if she got up this morning but it’s possible since I didn’t take out in the sun and watch her just in case I have her something to eat and drink when I locked them up. I guess today was day two? Since she started sitting in this clutch the 26th.

 

[NatJ]

I guess today was day two? Since she started sitting in this clutch the 26th.

Yes, I agree about the counting.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Yes, I agree about the counting.

So this morning I pulled aside the cardboard and nudged her out and she ate and drank and pooped. The other chickens were out free ranging. She seemed really nervous and jumpy. Well I called the other chickens back and they went in but one of the silkies started trying to attack her. Amelia put out her wings like she had chicks then started fighting with her I pulled them apart and put Amelia back in her nest hox and put the cardboard back up. I guess my question is will the other chickens attack her like this when she has chicks? This silkie has a history of doing this even with her sister she grew up with. So should I keep Amelia and her chicks separate until they are around 4 or 6 weeks old?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

So this morning I pulled aside the cardboard and nudged her out and she ate and drank and pooped. The other chickens were out free ranging. She seemed really nervous and jumpy. Well I called the other chickens back and they went in but one of the silkies started trying to attack her. Amelia put out her wings like she had chicks then started fighting with her I pulled them apart and put Amelia back in her nest hox and put the cardboard back up. I guess my question is will the other chickens attack her like this when she has chicks? This silkie has a history of doing this even with her sister she grew up with. So should I keep Amelia and her chicks separate until they are around 4 or 6 weeks old?

It's because her hormones are messing with other birds and because they weren't able to see her after the barricade was put up. There will likely be a few spats once she's reunited since the other birds can't see her inside the makeshift pen. Part of the reason I brood how I do, so I don't have to really deal with reintegration

 

[Farmgirl283420]

It's because her hormones are messing with other birds and because they weren't able to see her after the barricade was put up. There will likely be a few spats once she's reunited since the other birds can't see her inside the makeshift pen. Part of the reason I brood how I do, so I don't have to really deal with reintegration

Oh ok makes sense. Though she’s weak and not herself that little Amelia can hold her own! How do you brood?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Oh ok makes sense. Though she’s weak and not herself that little Amelia can hold her own! How do you brood?

I leave most of my hens with their flocks completely through incubation and chick rearing. They find somewhere they feel safe nesting and that's where I leave most. The rest are moved to a wire pen near their flock or the flock I want them and the chicks to join where everyone can still see her all day and night

 

[JacinLarkwell]

She shouldn't be weak this early though. Especially if she still has at least 18 days left