Letting a broody hatch some eggs

[NatJ]

No way I could touch anything arm length. The coop is probably 3 times my wing span if not more and the run area is more like a small yard fenced in and covered with wire.

Depending on how many chickens are in that space, it sounds like it probably is big enough to have a broody and her chicks in with the flock. Great!

In that case, you can probably just use the dog crate to make the other hens stay out of her nest until after the chicks have hatched, and then let the hen integrate them into the flock.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

Depending on how many chickens are in that space, it sounds like it probably is big enough to have a broody and her chicks in with the flock. Great!

In that case, you can probably just use the dog crate to make the other hens stay out of her nest until after the chicks have hatched, and then let the hen integrate them into the flock.

Shouldn’t she have access to outside so she can eat, drink and dust bathe? If I put a dog crate around her she’d be trapped in the coop. I marked the fertilized eggs so I can remove others in case they lay in there while she’s on her lunch break.

 

[NatJ]

Shouldn’t she have access to outside so she can eat, drink and dust bathe? If I put a dog crate around her she’d be trapped in the coop. I marked the fertilized eggs so I can remove others in case they lay in there while she’s on her lunch break.

Oops, I mixed up two threads.

For yours: yes, that sounds like enough space, go ahead and just let the hen sit unless you see problems.

For a hen in a dog crate or other kind of separation, it's common to put food & water inside. You can also let her out each day for things like dustbathing. Some broody hens will want to dustbathe and some will not, so I can't predict what yours would do.

But in your situation, I would probably just keep an eye out for whether she is able to stay in the same nest without pestering by the other hens. If everything seems to go well, there is no need to make changes.

The other thread had been talking about a dog crate because they did have a problem. The hen was 2/3 of the way through brooding, and another hen was regularly kicking the broody off the nest. That is a situation where separation with a dog crate can be a good idea. But I somehow mixed up the two situations, yours and theirs. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[ForFlocksSake]

Oops, I mixed up two threads.

For yours: yes, that sounds like enough space, go ahead and just let the hen sit unless you see problems.

For a hen in a dog crate or other kind of separation, it's common to put food & water inside. You can also let her out each day for things like dustbathing. Some broody hens will want to dustbathe and some will not, so I can't predict what yours would do.

But in your situation, I would probably just keep an eye out for whether she is able to stay in the same nest without pestering by the other hens. If everything seems to go well, there is no need to make changes.

The other thread had been talking about a dog crate because they did have a problem. The hen was 2/3 of the way through brooding, and another hen was regularly kicking the broody off the nest. That is a situation where separation with a dog crate can be a good idea. But I somehow mixed up the two situations, yours and theirs. Sorry for the confusion!

Thanks.

She seems to want to dust bathe. Every time I come out she’s on the nest but two days in a row I checked under her and there were a few other eggs from other girls. I’m assuming when my broody leaves for some food others come lay on the on top. I hope that’s ok! I have the fertilized eggs marked clearly so I remove those daily. When I do she gets annoyed and leaves for a bit to dust bathe and grab some food and water. Then she heads back to the box.

Is there any reason to be concerned about others laying eggs in there when she’s taking a break? I don’t have a rooster so I’m not worried about a staggered hatch.

 

[Perris]

Is there any reason to be concerned about others laying eggs in there when she’s taking a break? I don’t have a rooster so I’m not worried about a staggered hatch.

the only issue it has sometimes caused here is that the broody doesn't wait until the interloper has finished, but instead goes and sits in another nestbox. I think the urge to sit is strong, even if they realize it's not the right nest.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is there any reason to be concerned about others laying eggs in there when she’s taking a break? I don’t have a rooster so I’m not worried about a staggered hatch.

Perris mentioned one thing. If you leave the eggs in they can build up in number so she can't cover them all but if you are removing them daily that will not happen. If you remove them daily it doesn't matter if they are fertile or not, you can still use them.

It is not always when the broody is on a break. Most of my broody hens are quite happy to let another hen come onto her nest and lay an egg while she is still there.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

Perris mentioned one thing. If you leave the eggs in they can build up in number so she can't cover them all but if you are removing them daily that will not happen. If you remove them daily it doesn't matter if they are fertile or not, you can still use them.

It is not always when the broody is on a break. Most of my broody hens are quite happy to let another hen come onto her nest and lay an egg while she is still there.

That thought crossed my mind too. I’ve caught two in one box plenty of times. There were three extra eggs in there today Which seems like a long time to be away from the nest. I’m wondering if you’re right and they’re just squeezing themselves in there too.

Have been careful to collect eggs multiple times per day from the other boxes to keep her from showing interest in those. She also seems to be agitated and assertive enough right now to kick someone out of her nest.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Broody hens have been known to move eggs from another nest into their nest. That has happened to me a couple of times but I've never caught them in the act. Others have said they tuck the eggs under their chin to move them.

 

[Shadrach]

Shouldn’t she have access to outside so she can eat, drink and dust bathe? If I put a dog crate around her she’d be trapped in the coop. I marked the fertilized eggs so I can remove others in case they lay in there while she’s on her lunch break.

Yes she should. Once a day with food provided on her way out and on her way back if you can. Don't forget water. Some broody hens have difficulty getting enough to eat if they eat with the group because the other hens and roosters in my experience drive her away.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks.

She seems to want to dust bathe. Every time I come out she’s on the nest but two days in a row I checked under her and there were a few other eggs from other girls. I’m assuming when my broody leaves for some food others come lay on the on top. I hope that’s ok! I have the fertilized eggs marked clearly so I remove those daily. When I do she gets annoyed and leaves for a bit to dust bathe and grab some food and water. Then she heads back to the box.

Is there any reason to be concerned about others laying eggs in there when she’s taking a break? I don’t have a rooster so I’m not worried about a staggered hatch.

It reads like you've got a better grip on this than many with broody hens. Yup, mark the sitting hens eggs and remove any donations daily. Easiest to do this when she's off the nest eating and bathing.
Broody dust bathing is important for them. You have it right. Most broody hens I've cared for will grab a bite to eat and head straight for a dust bath.
This is partly why I suggest making sure there is feed available on her way back to the nest. One shouldn't provide feed at the nest. They don't eat properly in the broody trance and sitting while eating isn't great for their digestion either. Then of course there are the ants, mice and rats who will all attempt to eat spillage and from the bowl.
A very small bowl of water is okay if one can manage to set it up so it doesn't get knocked over.