Just as it starts to get cold in WV - Broody - Can I move her?

[MIKE555444]

Well as shocked as I was I noticed my 26 week old new pullet starting to show signs of broody. Clucking a lot, "calling" around the food, and not very friendly to the other hens. She did that for a week or so and then claimed her nest this weekend. If she is still stead on the nest today I am going to put fertile eggs under her

I am thinking about putting up a small divider fence around her and her nest in the coop with food and water. I have large breeds(mostly BO) and I'm afraid 2 or three of them on the nest might damage her hatching eggs. Of course she picked a center nest to make this even more difficult lol.

Potential problems with baby chicks this time of year?

Any suggestions?

 

[MIKE555444]

Also... If I move her to a different nest and "section it off" will I break her broody?

 

[Ridgerunner]

These treads might help. I've never moved a broody so I don't have any experience with that, but I do believe keeping her out of bright sunlight does improve your odds.

Isolate a Broody? Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213218

How to move a broody hen
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=162759

As far as problems with the chicks, the hen can and will keep them warm. I really don't see any problems not present at other times of the year.

This probably won't help you, but this shows how I sectioned off my nesting boxes and provided a space for a broody to stay on her original nest. All I have to do is block off the entrance and pull the board out of the correct slot. I can access that middle section from the back to put food and water in there.

 

[MIKE555444]

Quote:
Thanks Ridgerunner